


F586 





■^ ^S* * Inn * ^ ^ * - 






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Price 25 eta. •_ With Map, 7 5 cts. "# 



CV'\\''^TKd^r\) S\'>^s 



HAND BOOK^^^ 

OF 

WISCONSIN; 

) OR, GUIDE TO 

TRAVELLERS & IMMIGRANTS: 

A com' ANION TO 

CHAPMAN'S MAP OF NA^ISCONSIN. 



»<^ » i 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Introfluction, 1 

Boundaries and Extent, . . 2 

Resources 4 

Public Lands, 6 

Land Dstricts, ..... 10 



Page. 

Education 13 

Lin(»s uf Travel, . ... . 14 

Counties, in Alphabetical 

01 der, 17 

Commercial Statistics, .. 55 




MILWAUKEE:^ 

PUBLISHED BY S. CHAPMAN, No. 165 EAST WATER STREET. 
MrTRisoN k KERR, BOOK it JOE PRINTERS. 

1855. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year ISoS, by 

S. Chapman, in the Clerk's OfGcc of the District 

Court of tlic State of Wisconsm. 



I 



^^Iil^^[ 




^'^ 



d^ 



6 



OR GUIDE TO 

TRAVELLERS & IMMIGRANTS j 

DESIGXED AS AN ACCOMPANIMENT TO 



The object of this work is to aid immigranta who ti.re 
seeking a Western home in making; ti><}ir selection, by 
presenting the resources of each portion of this State by 
Counties — the position they occupy, tlie nearness to 
mai'ket, and facilities for reaching it Its object is also 
to direct the traveller to the best and easiest route? 
through the State. From the enquiries the Author daily 
receives, he believes that such a work is called for, and 
as there has never been anything published which in 
any manner occupies the ground it takes, he confidently 
presents it to the public as a needed book. It is in« 
tended aa a companion to "CHAPMAN'S MAP OP 
WISCONSIN," and all references to th« Map are iji» 
tended for that. 



A^ 



2 WISCONSIX. 

As the State is constantly changing as the tide of po[iu- 
lation sweeps northward, the Publisher would be thank- 
ful for any new statistics or any geographical informa- 
tion not embodied in this book or noted on his Map or 
where change by new settleme3its have made cither in- 
correct. 

MlLWAUKEK, 1855. 



WISCONSIN. 



Wisconsin lies between 42 deg. 30 niin. and 4*7 d.e^. N. 
lat. and between 87 deg. and 92 deg. 30 niin, AV. long, 
ftnd is bounded on the North by Lake Superior ; N.E, 
\<j the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, from which it is 
separated by Montreal, Brule and Menomonce Rivers, 
and by a nearly straight line drawn from the head wa- 
ters of the Brule to those of the Montreal ; on the East 
by Lake Michigan ; on the South by lUinios ; and on the 
West by Iowa and Minnesota. It contains 34,511,360 
acres. 

Wisconsin has no range of mountains. The surface is 
rolling, in some portions approaching to hilly, givinjj 
nearly all the streams a rapid cliaraeter, seldom ap- 
proaching to falls. The only approach to mountains in 
the surveyed part, are the Wisconpin and the Mississippi 
Kiver Bluifs, which rise from 150 to 300 feet-jibovc the 
eitreoms fi«om which they derive their names. The gene- 
ral surface of the country is from GOO to 1000 feet above 



WISCONSIN. 3 

the ocean. The slope towards Lake Superior is steep, 
and the streams short and rapid. The State is naturally 
divided into timber, prairie and opening?. The soil ot" 
each is excellent, except some of the pine timbered lands, 
black marl predominating in the lower timber and prai- 
ries, and is often five or six feet deep. The dark loam is 
most common in the openings and rolling prairies. The 
heavy timbered lands lie along the Lake shore, and em- 
brace the Counties of Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, 
Sheboygan, :Mauitowoc, Kewaunee and Door, part of the 
Counties of Waukesha and Fond du Lac. The timber is 
Maple, Beech, Oak, Hickory, Black Wallnut and Bas-, 
interspersed with Pine in Sheboygan and the Counties 
Xorth. 

Another belt is in Jefferson County, extending nearly 
its whole length, lying on the East side of Rock Paver. 
The timber is nearly the same, without the Pine. 

There are a few other small belts of timber .-'outh of 
the Wisconsin and Fox. 

Tlie Prairie Lands, interspersed with openings, occupy 
the remainder of the State South of the above rivers— the 
prairies increasing in extent and number as we approach 
the Illinois line. 

Js^orth of the Wisconsin, the country is more broken, 
except in the Western part of the State where prairies 
are again found. Much of the State, lying NortJi of the 
Wisconsin and Xo'-th-west of the Fox, is covered with 
Pine. The Pine Regions will be found under the head* 
of Resources. 



WISCONSIN. 



RESOURCES. 



Wisconsin derives its riches from three sources — Agri- 
culture, Forests and Mines. All kinds of crops raised in 
temperate climates can be raised with success in Wiscon- 
sin ; and, owing to great range of pasturage on the prai- 
ries and in the openings, it is an uncommonlj fine graz- 
ing country. Much good stock has been lately introduced, 
and the attention of the farmers has been turned to rais- 
ing wool as a staple. Indian corn is raised with the best 
Buccess in the South-western part of the State. But the 
great staple is wheat, and the estimated amount exported 
during 1854, is over three millions bushels. While most 
of the other wheat growing States have, during that year, 
sufl^red from drought, AVisconsin has had a crop exceed- 
ing its usually abundant yield. The quality of this 
wheat surpasses that of other Western States — that of the 
T^orthern being held in higher esteem than that of the 
Southern part of the State. 

We append at the close of this work some tables giving 
the exports of articles of Wisconsin growth and manu- 
facture from the Lake Ports, together with the shipment 
of lead for a few years past, which could not be obtain- 
ed in season to be embodied in their proper place under 
the head of Resources. By these tables it will be seen 
that Wisconsin stands behind no other State in its re- 
sources, or in the energy and enterprise which is develop- 
ing them. The total shipments for 1854 cannot b« lesa 
thRU $10,000,000. 



WISCONSIN-. 



We cannot better give an idea of the varied products 
of the State, than by inserting the following table, sliovr- 
ing the produce brought to Milwaukee over the M. & ^f. 
R. R. during the month of October, 1854 : — 

Wheat bush. 

Barley... „ 

Oats „ 

Com, „ 

Rye, „ 

Potatoes, .... „ 

Grass Seed ... „ 

Cranberries ... „ 
Total Bushels 

Flour, bbls. 

M sacks 

Eggs, doz. 

LUMBER. 

There are seven Lumber Regions in "Wisconsin, takincj 
their names from the rivers on which they lie, or tiio 
nearest point of shipment. The following table gives the 
estimated amount of Pine lumber sawed during 1854, 
Considerable lumber is brought down the Wolf into the 
Fox and sawed there, not included in this estimate: — 

Black River, 18,000,000 

Chippewa, 40,000,0'TO 

GreenBay, .35.000,000 

Manitowoc, '22,000,009 

St. Croix, 2.5,000,tKtO 

Wisconsin, 95.000,000 

Wolf, 30,000,tK)0 



319,005 


Pork, 


.. bbls. 


106 


50,4,-0 


Mill Feed .. 


... sack? 


201R 


0,630 


or lbs. 




122.3.30 


6.592 


Hides, 


. . lbs. 


16.366 


9.8fi7 


Skins, 


• • 11 


900 


7,604 


Brooincorn . . 


.. bales 


293 


3.112 


Brooms 


.. doz. 


423 


G58 


Butter 


.. kegs 


424 


404,518 


High wines .. 


. . bbls. 


IHO 


8,992 


Wool 


.. lbs. 


6,600 


867 


Hops 


• • 11 


21,W(0 


7,049 


Hogs 


. No. 


65ft 



Total, 205000,000 

Besides this, there are numerous mills throughout the 
hard timber lands which add materially to the annua! 
aggregate. 



6 WISCONSII^. 

This LnmLcr finds a market in Chicago, St. Louis, and 
all other ports on llie Mississippi below the State line, be- 
sides the great demand in the State. 

MINERALS. 

It is mucli more difficult to obtain accurate statistics of 
the Mineral Avcallh, Wisconsin has within its bounds 
the richest lead field in the world. Lead ore is found 
in the whole of Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Counties, 
extending into Green, Crawford and Richland. Over 
80,000,000 lbs. lead is annually sent down the Missis- 
^ ^<iI>pi, most of which is from Wisconsin. Copper is also 
found, and smelted at Mineral Point. Large pieces of 
pure copper are often dug nj) in nearly every Soutliern 
County. 

Iron ore of a superior quality is found at Iron Eidge, 
Dodge County, and a furnace has been built for smelting 
and casting. Arrangements arc now making to manufac- 
ture R. R. iron, which it is said this iron will make of a 
superior quality. 

• — ♦-^e^o- — 

PUBLIC LANDS. 

All the lands in Wisconsin are numbered from the 4th 
principal meridian. This line commences at the mouth 
of Fever River in Illinois, and extends to Lake Superior. 
Tlie Base Line, from which the lands are numbered North, 
is the Southern boundary line of the State. All the town- 
sliips (six miles square) lying East or West of the principal 
meridian, are East or West ranges ; all lying North of 
the base lines, are toxcng. Each town is divided into 



WISCONSIN. 7 

tliirtj-six sections, numbered as on the Map in Town 9 
Xorth, Range 9 East. All towns or sections, a part of 
which is cutoff by lakes or streams, are called /rac^/owa/. 

After the lands have been surveyed, they are pro- 
claimed by the President for sale, and offered at auction 
at SI. 25 per acre ; and such as thereafter remain tinsoM 
are subject to be purchased at private sale at that rate. 
Only a small portion are thus sold. Our own citizens, as 
well as those of other countries, have at all times an op- 
portunity of purchasing rich and desirable lands at Go- 
vernment prices. 

By a law passed in August 1854, lands which had been 
in market more than ten years, were made subject to 
entry at §1.00 per acre ; over fifteen years at 75 cents; 
over twenty years at 50 cents ; over twenty-five years at 
25 cents ; over thirty years at 12 1-2 cents. 

For more complete and full information, we subjoin 
a statement made by Benj. 11. Moores, Esq., Receiver at 
the Land Office at Menasha : 

Receiver's Office, 
MEN.\SiiA, November 16, 1854. 

I have frequent inquiries from persons for information 
relative to entr}'", under the act of Congi-css of 4th Aug., 
1854, "An act to (graduate and reduce tJie Price of t/ie 
Public Lands to actual settlers." For general information 
I annex a schedule of the classes of land whicli became 
subject to private entry. 

Between 1st July 1840 and 1st July 1845, in 1st class, 
at $1.00 per acre. 

Between 1st July 1835 and 1st July 1840, in 2J class, 
at 75 cents per acre. 



8 WISCONSIN. 

Between 1st July 1880 and Ist July 1835, in 3d cla??, 
at 60 cents per acre. 

Between 1st July 1825 and Ist July 1830, in 4th class, 
at 25 cents per acre. 

Those offered prior to Ist July 1825, in 5tli class, at 
12 1-2 cents per acre. 

The reduced prices are only for actual eeltlenieut, or 
f«)r the use of a settler' s farm. 

In all cases of entry under this act, the affidavit of the 
spplieant is necessary in one or the other of these aoconi- 
panyiug forms, which is to be furnished and prepared by 
the applicant, or some person for him, other than by the 
Register or Receiver ; before one of whom the oaih must 
h€ token. 

AH lauds, subject to entry under the act, are also open 
fts before for entry at $1.25. 

It should be observed by th&se having unexpired pre- 
emptions, that a clause in the 2d section of the act (a 
eopy of which I enclose,) will or luay effect their pre-emp- 
tion privileges if neglected by them. 

Yours, &.C., 

BENJ. n. MOOERS. 

The forms of the oaths referred to, and required of thd 
rt[>plicant, arc as follows : 

Form of Oath Ko. 1. 
f, of County, 

having applied to enter the 
nnder the act entitled " An act to graduate and reduce 
the price of the public lands to actual settlers and culti- 
rators," approved 4th August, 1855, do solemnly swear 
that I enter the same for my own use, for the purpose of 



wiscoKsiir. « 

actual settlement and cultivation, and that together with 
said entry I have not acquired from the United State?, 
under the provision of said act, more than three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, according to the established sur- 
Teys ; and further, that the said laud is not now in the 
occupancy of any actual settler whose settlement thereon 
existed at the date of said law. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 
day of , 18 . 



Form of Oath Ko. 3. 

J, of County,, 

leaving applied to enter tbe 
under the act entitled "An act to graduate and reduce 
the price of the public lands to actual settlers and culii- 
yators," approved 4th August, 185-i, do solemnly swtar 
that I enter the eame for the use of an adjoining farm*" 
owned by me situated on the (here is to be inserted tho 
tract or tracts on which the farm is situated), and that 
together with said entry, I have not acquired from th« 
United States, under the provisions of said act, more than 
three hundred and twenty acres, according to the estab- 
lished surveys ; and further that the said land is not now 
in the occupancy of any actual settler whose settlement 
thereon existed at the date of said law. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 
day of , 18 . 



• There must b* an adjoinment, and the tracts to be entered, ia 
idl «ase«, la as compact a body as may be. 



10 WISCON.SIN". 

For the purpose of making the matter perfectly plain, 
we subjoin the 21 section, relating particularly to pre- 
empted land^, which is as follows: 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That upon every 
reduction in pri(Ss under tjic provisions of this act, the 
occupant and settler upon the lands shall have the right 
of pre-emption at such graduated price upon the. same 
terras, conditions, restrictions and limitations, upon which 
the public lands of the United States are now subject to 
the right of pre-emption until within thirty days preced- 
ing the next graduation or reduction that shall tako 
place ; and if not so purchased, shall again be subject to 
the right of pre-emption for eleven months, as before, and 
80 on from time to time, as reductions take place : Pro- 
vided, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to 
interfere with any right which has or may accrue by 
virtue of any act granting pre-emption to actual settlei'S 
upon public lands. 

For fuller particulars as to purchase, recourse must be 
had to the pre-emption law, furnished at all the land 
offices. 

Besides the lands belonging to the General Govern- 
ment^ the State has many desirable lands for sale, de- 
noted to it for schools and for internal improvements, 
amounting in all to 1,18-5,000 acres. Some of this haa 
lately been sold. 

LAND DISTRICTS, 

The Public Land Offices of the United States arc lo- 
cated at — Milwaukee, Menasha, Mineral Point, SteVen's 
Point, La Crosse, and Willow River (now Hudson). 



WISCONSIN. 11 

The boundaries of tliese Land Districts are as follows : 

Milwaukee — Office at Milwaukee — Commencing on the 
Southern line of the State between ranges 9 and 10 E. 
between Green and Rock Counties, running North on 
this line to the lines between towns 10 and 11 North, 
thence East on this line to the line between ranges 1*7 
and 18 East, thence North to the line between towns 12 
and 13, thence East on this line to Lake Michigan, up 
Lake Michigan to the State line, and "West on this line 
to the jilace of beginning. 

This district embraces all of the counties of Kenosha, 
Racine, Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwau- 
kee, Washington, and Ozaukee, and part of the counties 
of Dane, Columbia and Dodge. The arable lands of this 
district are nea:-!}- all taken up. 

Oreen Bai/— Office at Menasha, Winnebago County-^ 
Commencing on Lake Michigan on the line between 
towns 12 and 13, West to line between ranges 17 and 18 
East, thence South to line between towns 10 and 11 N., 
thence West to line between ranges 9 and 10 E., thence 
North to line between towns 14 and 15, thence East to 
line between ranges 11 and 12 East, thence North on this 
line to the Northern boundary of the State, and follow- 
ing this boundary Easterly and Southerly to the place of 
beginning. 

This district embraces all the Counties of Sheboygan, 
Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Calumet, Door, Brown, Outa- 
gamie, Winnebago, and Fond du Lac, and parts of th« 
Counties of Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Waushara 
Waupacca, Shawaunaw, and Oconto. 

Wisconsin or Mineral Point — Office at Mineral Point 
— Commencing at the Southern boundary of the State 



1 2 WISCONSIN. 

on the Mississippi, following tlie State line East to th<s 
line between ranges 9 and 10 East, thence North on this 
line to the line between towns 14 and 15, thenee West to 
tlie Meridian line (4th), South on this line to the line be- 
tween towns 10 and 11 North, thence "West to the Mit^si.-*- 
*ippi and down the Mississippi to the place of beginning. 

This district embraces all of the Counties of Crawford, 
Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, Green and Sauk, and parts of 
Dane, Columbia, Marquette, Adams, and Kiehland. 

SteveTi's Point — Office at Steven's Point, Portage Co. 
— Commencing at the South-west corner of town 14 N., 
in range 2 East, thence running East to line between 
ranges 11 and 12 East, thence North to the Northern 
boundary of the State, following this boundary Westerly 
to the line between ranges 1 and 2 East, thence South on 
this line to the place of beginning. 

Tliis district contains the Counties of Portage and Ma- 
rathon, with parts of the Counties of Marquette, Wau- 
shara, Waupacca, Oconto, and nearly all Adams. 

La Crosse — Office at La Crosse on the Mi^si^^^ipp^ — 
Commencing on the Mississipjti ou the line between 
towns 10 and 11 North, East on this line to the priiieij-al 
Meridian, thence North to the line between towns 14 
and 15 North, thenee East to the line between ranges 1 
and 2 East, thence North to the lino between towne SO 
and 31 North, thence West to the Chip'pewa River, 
down this River to the Mississi]>pi, and down the MLssii- 
gippi to the place of beginning. 

This district embraces all of the Counties of La Crosae, 
Bad Ax, Monroe, Jackson, Trempeleau and Clarke, and 



WISCONSIN. 18 

nf-arly all of Buffalo and Chippewa, and a small ]Kii-t of 
Dunn. 

Willow River — OflSce at Hudson, St Croix County — 
Commencing on the Mississippi at the mouth of the Chip- 
pewa, up this River to the Sd correction line between 
towns 30 and 31, East on this line to line between ranges 
1 and 2 East, North on this line to the Northern line of 
the State, then following the State line Westerly and 
Southerly to the place of beginning. 

Tills district embraces the Counties of La Point, Doii- 
glfiss, Polk, Pierce, and St. Croix, and parts of Dunn, 
Chippewa and BuiTalo. 



EDUCATION 



Tu'O tov/nships or seventy-two sections of land wer« 
granted by Congress, for the purpose of endowing a Stat* 
University. Tiiese lands have been selected in the vnri- 
ovis counties, sold, and the proceeds applied in erecting 
the University Buildings at Madison. Two buildings 
are already finir?lied, and the College in successful opera- 
tion. 

Besides this, a College is established at Beloit, Rock 
.County, under the charge of the Pres>)yterians and Con- 
gregationalists united, and is in a flourtshing condition. 

A College at Racine, under the charge of the Episco- 
palians, is in a prosperous condition, and bids fair to 
take a high stand among the Institutions of the Weftt. 

For Carrol College see Waukesha County. 



14 WISCONSIN. 

COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Fur the support of Common School?, Congress donates 
each 16th section in every township or one thirty sixth 
part of the whole State, as a fund. These lands arc 
thrown into market by the State, and meet witli a ready 
sale, as only 10 per cent, of the amount is to be paid at 
the time of entry, the remainder being ou interest at 7 
per cent. The proceeds of these sales are put into tho 
Treasury, and the interest only divided pro rata to the 
different counties. The lands thus reserved, if sold at 
Government prices only would give a fund of over 
$1,200,000. 



LINES OF TRAVEL 



RAIL ROADS. 

Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail JRoad— From. Milwau- 
kee to Madison, through Milwaukee, Waukeshn, Jeffer- 
son, Walworth, Rock and Dane Counties. To be con- 
tinued to the AYiseousIn River and down its valley to the 
Mississippi. 

Southern Wisconsin — Leaves the Milwaukee and Mis- 
sissippi Rail Road at Milton, built at present to Janes- 
ville. To be continued through Green, Lafayette and 
Grant Counties to the Mississippi. 

Beloit and Madison — Running from Bcloit to Afton, 
seven miles. Will soon be finished to Madison. 

Milu-aukee to Watertown — Running on the track of the 
Milwaukee and Mississippi to Power's Mill, fourteen 
miles from Milwaukee, branching thence to Oconomowoc. 
Will be finished to AVatertown early in 1855. 



"WISCONSIN. 15 

La Crosse and Milwaukee — From Milwaukee to La 
Crosse, on tlie Mississippi River, through the Counties of 
Milwaukee, Waukesha, "Washington, Dodge, Columbia, 
Sauk, Adams and La Crosse. K^ow building — to be 
opened to Iloricon during 1855. 

Milwaukee and Iloricon — Leaves the La Crosse and 
Milwaukee^ at Iloricon to Berlin in Marquette County. 
Inow grading. 

Lake Shoi-e — Fi'om Chicago to Milwaukee along tlie 
chore of Lake Michigan. Xearly completed. 

Rock River Valley — From Fond du Lac down the val- 
ley of the Rock to Janesville, thence to Statt- line near 
the East corner of Rock County. Cars running ficni 
Fond du Lac to ^Yaupun. 

Mineral Point — From Mineral rciut down the Yallcy 
of the Picatonica. Building. 

Racine — Graded to Fox River and partly graded to 
Beloit. 

Kenosha — To intersect llie Rock River Valley, through 
Kenosha and Walworth. Grading. 

Central Wisconsin — From Portage City through Jef- 
ferson and Walworth Co. to the State line, from thenco 
to Chicago. Now grading. 

Quite a number of other roads have been chartered, 
Eorae of which have been commenced, but so little pro- 
gress made, that it will be some time before they are 
completed. 

PLANK ROADS. 

Milwaukee and Watertown — On nearly the same route 
as the Milwaukee and Watertown Rail Road. 



16 WISCONSIN. 

Racine and Janesville — To Delevan in Walworth 
Cbunty, forty-eiglit miles. 

MihoauTcee and Janseville — To Mnquanago in "Wauke- 
sha, A branch from this road, ten miles from Milwau- 
kee, strikes the Racine and Janesville Plank Road *t 
Rochester. 

Kenosha to Biirlirujton — Twenty miles. 

Sheboygan to Fond die Lac — Forty miles. 

There are quite a number of other Plank Roade from 
five to ten miles in length, 

STEAM BOAT ROUTES. 

Boats are constantly running on Lake Michigan be- 
tween all the ports, and to Green Bay, 

From Fond du Lac to Menaslia on Lake Winnebago. 

From Oshkosh to Berlin on the Fox. 

From Oshkosh to Lake Shawanawon the Wolf. 

From Applcton to Green Bay on the Fox. 

From Green Bay up the Oconto. 

From Green Bay to BufFala 

On the Mississippi River, the whole of its length 
bounding the State. 

On the St. Croix Rivei' to St. Croix. 

Boats can pass up the Wisconsin to Portage. When 
the Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail Road reachea it^ » 
line of boats will run to its mouth. 

Tlierc are other streams navigable some distance from 
their mouths, where boats will pass as business req^iirea. 

STAGES, 

Run with more or less freq aency through all the priu- 
eipal villages not reached by Rail Road. 



WISCONSIN, 1 7 



COUNTIES 



ADAMS. 

This County lies on the "Wisconsin Ri^er, and is also 
watered by the Lemonwier, Necada, Yellow and Roch & 
Cree Rivers. The valley of the Lemonwier, especiallj 
that part lying on the West side, is as fertile as any land 
in the State, the timber being black and burr oak. Oil 
the Yellow River is one of the best pineries of the State. 
Much of the land of this county, being pine land, is not 
calculated to induce a rapid settlement for agricultural 
purpose.^ Between the Yellow and Lemonwier Rivei-R, 
the country is level, in the rest of the county generally 
undulating, and good for agriculture. There is much 
good land subject to entry, and it will not be long before 
Adams county will contain a large population. Th« 
land office for nearly the whole of this county is at 
Steven's Point. 

Germantown, on the Wisconsin, at the mouth of th4 
Yellow River, is at present the principal village, and 
has a good location for future prosperity- It is in the 
centre of a fertile district which is rapidly settling. 
Eight saw mills on the Yellow River, and all doing & 
prosperous business, send their lumber down the River 
to the Wisconsin, at this place. The county is healthy, 
and affords good inducement, not only to the farmer, but 
to the mechanic of almost every kind. 

The La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail Road passes througJi. 
B 



18 WISCONSIN. 

thii county, following up the West side of tlio WLscon- 
iin River to the Lemon wier, and up the valley of IhU 
River to Monroe county, 

BAD AX. 

Tliis county is one of the Mississippi River counties, ia 
aew, but sparsely settled, and has not yet attracted ihe 
attention of immigrants as much as it deserves. It ii 
watered by the Kickapoo, Raccoon, and Bad Ax River?, 
and their numerous braiielic:?. These have many excel- 
lent water powers, and the great resources of this county 
remain yet to be developed. There are few counties iu 
the State which should tempt the settler more than this, 
nnd notwithstanding its bad name it is a good country. 
It is to be hoped that iu the future naming of the coun- 
ties of Wisconsin suclr unmeaning and uncouth names 
shall give place to more euphonious, either Indian, Eng- 
lish or French, and \hat Bad Ax and Deaths Door may 
be the last of their kind. 

Viroqua is a flouri^'hing village in lias county. 

BROWN. 

One of tlie tliree origliral counties of AViscousiM, *m- 
brftcing all the State North of Milwaukee and East of the 
Wisconsin River, but now one of the smallest counties of 
the State. The population in 1850 was <i223, but tlie=o 
figui'es would scarcely apply to the present time. A 
}>art of the Oneida reservation is in this county. Ths 
lower Fox River flows through this county, the largest 
•treara of water in the State, and containing the best 
water power. This River has been made navigable the 
whole of its distance by the Fox River Improvement Co., 



WISCONSIK'. 19 

and steamboats v.ill run during tlie Summer of 1855 
from Lake AViniiebago to Green Bar. There is some 
^ood land still unoccupied in the Eastern and South- 
eastern part of the county. It is well watered, undulat- 
incr but not hilly, and has but little swamp or other 
waste land. The timber is maple, beech, and birch, in- 
terspersed with pine, and some hemlock. Duck Creek,, 
and Big Suamico flow through the county. 

Green Bay,, at the mouth of the Fox, is the oldest 
settlement in the State, and is now the centre of a heavy 
lumber trade, which has met with a stimulus in the high 
price which lumber has commanded during tke past yeai\ 
owing to the opening of new avenues for supplying Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin. It is supposed that more than twice 
the timber will be cut duri%g the winter of 1854 and '5, 
than at any season heretofore. Green Bay will also b* 
the port of shipment of a large back country. Steamers 
run from this port to Buffalo. 

The Green Bay, Lake Shore and Chicago Rail Road 
has itB Xorthcrn terminus at this place» 
BUFFAL^O. 

This county was orgiini.sed.in iSoS from Chippewa. 
It lies on the Miseissippi River at the mouth of the Chip- 
pewa, and is rapidly tilling up. It is at present but 
ppar.'^ely populated^ and there is much good Government 
land to be had. The valleys of the Trempeleau and 
Buffalo Rivers are exten.«ive and eminently adapted to 
ft^'icuTture — fine prairies, fine timber, well watered, 
ami as yet ahnost entirely unoccupied, presenting one t»f 
th« best openings for the immigrant to be found in th% 
Stftte- of Wisconsin. 



20 WISCONSIIT. 

Waamandee City is the countj seat of this county, 
situated on the Mississippi, about 50 miles above La 
Crosse. It is a promising point of business, and will 
probably command the trade of this and the Northern 
part of Trempeleau counties. 

Buffalo is in the La Crosse land district, and con- 
sequently entries can only be made at the La Crosse office. 

CALUMET 

Lies on the East shore of Lake Winnebago, and is yet 
but lightly settled compared with its surrounding neigh- 
bors. It is covered with a heavy growth of hard timber, 
and contafns what was for a long time the Stockbridge 
Indian Reservation. These two causes, kept the settlers 
from this county until Winnebago, on the West side of 
the Lake, with the attractions of timber, openings and 
prairies, had so far out-strippod Calumet in population 
that there is little prospect of its reaching that degree of 
prosperity which its neighbors have acquired. There 
are etill the remains of the Stockbridge and Brothertown 
Indians in the county, occupying their well tilled farms. 
The county is well watered, and contains much excellent 
land yet unoccupied. 

Chilton Centre, a flourishing village, is the county seat. 

This county is wholly in the Green Bay land district^ 
and entries must be made at the land offices at Menasha. 

CHIPPEWA. 

One of the largest counties of the State, extending from 
the line between towns 24 and 25 North, to the line be- 
tween 40 and 41, being 91 miles long, and averaging 
about 66 broad. Not one half of tho county is yet sur- 



WISCONSIN-. 21 

vcyed and brought into market. The county is watered 
by the Chippewa and Yellow Rivers, and their numerous 
branches, both large and small. It is, in its full sense, a 
well watered county. Our further description will ap- 
ply only to the surveyed or Southern part of the county, 
which will undoubtedly soon be subdivided into seve- 
ral smaller counties. 

The soil in the "Western part of the county is good, and 
great progress has been made in settlements for agricul- 
tural purposes. In the North-eastern part, the soil is less 
valuable for farming purposes, but rich for the lumbering 
business, as it is covered with excellent pine. 

Chippewa county contains one of the best and most ex- 
tensive pineries in the State. There are now in success- 
ful operation twelve saw mills on the Chippewa River, 
capable of cutting 40,000,000 feet of lumber annually. 
The largest of these mills is located at Chippewa Falla 
and is commonly known as Allen's Mills ; Menomonee, 
Mills ; and at the mouth of the Eau Galla, is Carson and 
Eaton's. These mills average about 5,000,000 feet annu- 
ally, and furnish employment for about 600 men. The 
county seat is at Chippewa. 

Tiie most of the land in this county is still subject to 
entry. It affords inducements to tlie immigrant botli 
agricultural and mechanical, as the resources of the 
county are such as to give permanency to business, and 
a sure market is always to be found for the products of 
the forest. 

. The route of travel to this country from Lake Michi-' 
gan, at present, is by Rail Road from Chicago to Galena 
(nearly completed) and up the Mississippi and St. Croix 



22 WISCONSIN. 

by boat; or from Milwaukee to Madison by Rail Roa.l, 
thence by stage to the River, and up the River by boat. 
We are indebted for most of the information in re- 
lation to this county to the Hudson Journal nnd tJie 
Hudfon North Star, two valuable papers for local 
information, whose assistance we have, occasion to ac- 
knowledge in another part of this work. Did the papers 
of other localities take the same pains to give local infor- 
mation as these papers, the Pinery at Steven's Point, and 
the Crescent at Appleton, we should possess much more 
•ure and valuable information respecting the resources of 
our State. Such journals are worth more than the whole 
cost of publication to the different counties where they 
ai'e located, and we do not doubt but they have been the 
direct means of doubling the population, and developing 
tte resources in a corresponding ratio of the counties 
where they are respectively located, 

COLUMBIA. 

This county is nearly in the centre of the present 
■ettled portion of the State, and lies on both the Wiscon- 
•in and Fox Rivers, which approach within two miles of 
each other at Portage City — the former a rapid, changeful 
current, subject to sudden rises, flowing between high 
banks and over falls ; the latter sluggish and unchang- 
ing, with marshy banks, or spreading itself into doubtful 
lakes, and navigable with little water. 

The land of the whole of this county is good, the sur- 
face diversified with rolling prairies and burr oak open- 
ings. There is little timber growing in this county, but 
the want of it is well supplied by the Wisconsin pi nerici, 



WISCONSIN. 23 

the timber from -wliich is floated doAvn the Wi«con«xn 
Kiver to and past this county. 

Few counties in tlie State have increased within the 
past five years with the rapidity of this. All north of 
the Fox: River, then known as Indian lands, is now 
filled with people. There is consequently little good 
Governracnt land to be had — in truth, it was nearly nM 
taken as soon as brought into market. 

Portage City, on the Wisconsin and Fox, here connect- 
ed by a canal, is the county seat, and one of the most 
prosperous and busy towns of the State. The Wisconsin 
is navigated up to this place. It contains a bank, two 
weekly papers are published there, and it conitnands 
the trade of a large country, esijccially that lying up the 
Wisconsin River. The La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail 
Road is to pass through this county, and the Central 
Wisconsin has its terminus at this place. See Rail Roads. 

CRAWFORD. 

This county formerly embraced all Xorth of the Wis- 
consin River, but lias been so far divided and shorn, as 
to have become one of the smallest. It lies in the angle 
made by the Wisconsin and Mis:?is3ippi Rivers, and i»" 
watered by the Kickapoo, passing through nearly the 
centre. The eoujity seat is Prairie du Chien, one of the 
obh'st settlements of the State, and for a long time a 
military pos*t The surface of the country is broken hy 
a ridge passing North and South between the Miseissippi 
and Kickapoo. The county is well eupjilied with fin* 
water, and good timber is found along the etreamp. 
Tliere is an oicellent pinery on the Kickapoo, and a uuna- 



24 WISCONSIN. 

bet of mills are located there. The land ia generally 
good, and between the Kickapoo and Richland countj, 
excellent. Like Bad Ax, the county has not received the 
attention it deserves. 

Copper has been found in this county, and there 
eeems to be no reason why Crawford should not prove 
to be as rich in mineral resources as either of the counties 
South of the Wisconsin. Large quantities of lead have 
ali*eady been found, though there has been but little 
aearch made. "When the Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail 
Road is finished to Prairie du Chien, its Western termi- 
nus, the resource** of Crawford will be more fully devel- 
oped, and it will receive the attention it deserves. 

There is much good Government lands not yet taken 
up. It is in the Mineral Point land district. 

CLARKE. 

A new county recently formed out of Chippewa, and 
has the characteristics of that county. It is but thinly 
settled, nearly all the land being yet unoccupied. It is 
well watered, and is divided just West of the Black 
River, its principal stream,, by a high ridge. 

DANE. 

This is the largest county of Southern Wisconsin, and 
lies midway between Lake Michigan and tlio Mississippi 
River. It is considered one of the best agricultural 
counties of the State. The Wisconsin River forms its 
North-western boundary for a short distance. It ia 
is watered by Koshkonong, Sugar, and numerous other 
small streams, nearly all affording good water power. 
TUe best ia obtained by damming the outlet of Mendota 



WISCONSIN. 25 

(4th) Lake, which is occupied by one of the "best mills of 
the State. The county is rolling prairie and oak open- 
ings. Prairie abounding in the Western part. 

Madison, the county seat, is also the capital of the 
State, and contains all those different buildings and in- 
stitutions usually gathering round the capital. The best 
stone quarry in the State, near Madisoa, gives a beauti- 
ful material for building, which has been extensively 
used in the public and private edifices. The State^ 
House, one of the first buildings erected with this ma- 
terial, does not present that beautiful appearance of thos©^ 
more recently erected. 

The State University, for which Congress has mad© 
large donations oWands, is located on the shore of Men- 
dota (4th) Lake. Two of the buildings are already 
finished and occupied, and the University in successful 
operation. 

The State Lunatic Asylum is also located on the shore 
of the Lake. It has a large tract of land connected with 
it, and it is contemplated to erect a large and commodious 
building. It is not yet fully organised — the first portion 
of the Asylum to be built during the Summer of 1855. 

Madison itself, the only place of note in the county, is 
one of those examples of rapid and continual growth not 
always found, even in a rapidly increasing State. It is 
one of the most beautifully located places in the State, 
between two lakes, from 50 to 75 feet above their level. 
The first inhabitant settled there in 1837. 

In 1840, the population was .... 149 

1846, „ „ 283 

1850, „ „ .... 1672 
1854, „ 4126 



S6 WISCONSTN". 

Besides the Public Edifices alluded to above, it hM a 
Female Semiuary--good select and common schools — six 
churches ; and what, vre regret to add, is not found in 
every place in Wi3con9in, a good liotel. 

The present terminus of the Milwaukee and Missis- 
sippi Rail Road is at Madison. Stoughton is the only 
other depot in the county. The Rail Road from Beloit 
will soon be finished to this point. It is intended to con- 
tinue the Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail Road to th« 
Wisconsin at Helena, and the Beloit Road to Portage. 

DOOR. 

This county consists of the narrow strip of land lying 
between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, and a number 
of Islands off its Northern extremity. It derives its 
beautiful name from the strait between Plum Island and 
the main land, called by the original French settlers of 
Green Bay, "Porte du 3forts," or " Death's Door." It 
has thus far failed to attract settlers, either on account 
of its name, or more probably because there is Jio back 
country to induce the settlement of a village, or naak« 
liny market for the produce raised. The principal settle- 
ntent in the county is on Washington (or Potawotomie) 
Island, on the Xorth-western part, called Washington 
Harbor, This is represented to be one of the best natu- 
ral harbors on the Lake. 

Tlie county is mostly pine and the soil Ronc of tJie best. 

DODGE. 

A beautiful, rich, and healthy county. It is one of 
the best for agricultural purposes, well watered, diversi- 
fieid in eurface, being prairie, openings, and & raoderftt» 



WISCONSIIf. 



27 



amount of timber, and is of easy access to market. It 
has sufficient wator power for ordinary purposes. Th« 
La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail Road pa^iees through 
it nearly East and West. The Milwaukee and Hori- 
con Road leaves the track of the La Crosse at Iloricon, 
running North to Berlin on the Fox. Both these roads 
are building, and some portions in this •county will b« 
finished during 1855. 

At Mayville, is the best iron mine in the "West, pro- 
ducing as good iron as any in the United States, A fur- 
nace has already been erected, which bids fair to add 
largely to the attractions of the county. 

But little Government land is to be had in this county. 
It lies partly in Menasha and partly in Milwaukee Land 
Districts. Juneau is tlie county seat, Beaver Dam if 
the largest and most flourishing place. 

DOUGUASS. 

This county was formed from La roiat* in 1854s A 
few surveys have been made along the shore of Lak* 
Superior, and settlers are rapidly directing their cours* 
to that point. Though the most Northern county of 
the State, the winters are represented to be mild and 
pleasant. The ]>resent communication with the outer 
world is through Lake Superior or down the St. Croix 
River. A road is now building from Supei-ior, near th« 
mouth of the St. Louis to a point on the St. Croix River. 
The Bay of Superior, at the head of the Lake, is said to 
be the best harbor on the Lake. Superior is a rapidly 
growing place. The first settlement being made in 1863, 
•ud in the fall of 1854 numbered about oOO. Proapet- 



28 WISCONSIN. 

tively this occupies an important point. It is the head 
of the chain of irJand Lakes on the North-west. It is 
the North-western terminus of the Wisconsin system of 
Rail Roads. It is the point, and the main point, from 
-vv^hich the Pacific Rail Road is to leave the Lake Navi- 
gation, and from this point the road is to be built. 

The county is prairie mostly. Timber abounds. It is 
well watered. Does not suffer from its Northern lati- 
tude, and will be occupied as fast as the lands are 
brought into market. 
DUNN. 

A new county, lying on the Chippewa and Red Cedar 
Rivers, not thickly settled, well watered and generally 
good soil, having a due proportion of timber, prairie and 
openings. Ilay River, in the Northern part of the 
county, a branch of Red Cedar has pine upon its banks, 
and saw mills are now running. Pine is also cut on the 
Eau Galle. The resources of this county have not yet 
begun to be developed. Most of the land is yet in the 
hands of Government, and afi'ords rare chance to the 
immigrant for investment. Part of the county lies in 
"Willow River and part in La Crosse Land Districts. 

FOND DU LAC. 

This county lies in the Eastern part of the State, and 
is one of tlie old counties, if the term old can be applied 
where all is new. It was incorporated in 1836, but re- 
mained under the tutelage of Brown till 1839. Leas 
than fourteen years ago the writer had occasion to ad- 
dress circulars to different portions of the State, the one 
marked " Fond du Lac," was refused at the Post Office 



wiscoifsiir. ^ 

on the ground that there -was no Post OflBce in that 
county ! The present estimated population is over 
30,000. It is a beautiful and excellent agricultural 
county, embracing within itself almost all the products 
of Wisconsin. It is rolling, diversified with prairies, 
cpenifigs, timber and marsh; and is healthy, prosperouB, 
and fast becoming rich. "As a whole, the soil of Fond 
du Lac county is not surpassed by fertility by any in the 
"West. There probably is no tract of land of equal ex- 
tent whore less waste surface will be encountered by the 
agriculturist. The low lands are good meadows, or are 
the repositories of muck and shell marl, by which th« 
adjoining high lands will be enriched for ages. In point 
of good building material, this county is liberally sup- 
plied with ston*?, the best of clay for brick, limestone for 
cement and walls, are every where abundant." 

Fond du Lac, the county seat, is located at the head of 
Lake Winnebago, and has steam boat communication 
with all the places on that Lake, and up tlie Rivers 
which flow into it. The Northern terminus of the Fox 
River Valley Rail Road is at this point. It is already 
run to AVaupuD about 18 miles. The city possesses a 
good trade, and its growth has been andatill continues 
to be very rapid. 

At Waupun, a thriving agricultural village, is located 
the State Prison. A temporaiy wooden building waa 
erected in 1851. In 1854, a new stone edifice, intended 
a3 the South wing of the whole prison when completed, 
was built mostly by the labor of the prisoners. The 
lize of this wing is 204 by 64 feet, four stories high, cap- 
able of receiving 288 prisoners. 



30 WISCONSIN. 

Rijioii, another of those magic places wliich (pi-iiig Itito 
manhood before tlie geographer can locate ilniii, hm, 
within three years, been built in the town of Coresco, in 
the Western part of the county. It is a thriving place — 
has its college edifice, its newspaper, and its innumerabla 
ftigns of population and enterprise.Brock-way College has 
not yet gone into operation as a college, though its build- 
ing is erected, and an excellent collegiate school in oih- 
ration. 

There are no public lands in the county. 

"NVe are indebted for most of the above facts to an 
exeellent pamphlet entitled a " History of the County of 
Fond du Lac/' by Martin Mitchell, Esq., who, with com- 
raendable enter]n*iae, has put on record the early hiDtoi.v 
of the county, before the facts arc forgottea. 

GRANT. 

This county is in the South-western corner of the ^tat* 
n:id one of the oldest. The first settlors, after tlie Indian 
trsder?, located in this county, and its lands were tlao 
earlii'st surveyed and brought into market. In cocee- 
(^iK'Uce, in accordance with law alluded to on pjige 7, all 
the lands in that county are ollered to settlers at 50 cent* 
per acre. There has been, since that law went in.to 
efiect, a very large sale of lands in that county, and con- 
•equcntly an increase of population. Yet nearly ond 
fourth of the land is yet unsold at this time (Janaarr 
1, 18.55.) The hirgest portion of the public lands is in 
the Northern part of the county. The laode Rr« 
nearly all good, there being lc.-=3 marsh than iu anr 
wther county in the State. 



WISCONSIN. 51 

The firrtt settlers of Graut -were attracted tTicro bv it« 
richness in mineral wealth. A large amount of lead i» 
eent from this couutj, ' hut in ^vhat quantities, there are 
no means of ascertaining accurately. In a recent 
letter, written by Dr Percival, our State Geologist, who 
has been for some time a resident of that region, he 
states that it was difficult to ascertain either the amount 
of mineral raised, or of wheat grown, information which 
can only be fully obtained by a thorough examination by 
the census taker, our constitution requiring the census to 
be taken in 1855. He states further that the amount of 
produce raised is much larger this year than heretofore, 
the miner finding agriculture a more sure employment; 
but that thoi-e kas been but little grain exported, tlie 
whole surplas being req-nired t^ supplj' the immigrant* 
into this and the counties Xorth. 

Wo learn that Mr J. C. CoA'er, a gentleman well quaS- 
fi?d fw the task, will soon issue a History of this County, 
Rnd we kK»k ft>r it with a great degree of interest. 

Grant lies wholly in the Mineral Point Land District.. 

The Western terminus of tl:^ Soutkeru Wisconsia 
Rail Road is in this county,. 

GREEN. 

liying in the Southern part of the State, and border- 
ing on Illinois. The county is mostly prairie, with open- 
ings, a good agricultural country, whose resources aiT 
rapid;1y developing. There is but little government 
land to- be- had. The f(»liowing, from the <S'<'n<t7j(r/, pub- 
lished at Monroe, the county seat, gives a fair account of 
tho present situati©.a of Gree» oouaty : 



^2 WISCONSIN. 

" The resources and trne value of Green county are 
Ju3t beginning to be developed. The water power on 
Sugar River is only beginning to be improved. At Day- 
ton, and Attica in Brooklyn, there are good mills. Sugar 
River affords excellent mill privileges to that section of 
the country, and to such as are seeking a pleasant and 
healthy location, we have no hesitation in recommending 
the Northern part of Green county. Improvements are 
being made there in farms, dwellings, mills, and school- 
houses ; and more than all that, it is being settled with 
an intelligent, industrious, and enterprising people, such 
as are sure, in due time, to make a country prosperous 
and wealthy. 

*' There have been large quantities of mineral raised 
in it, and there is undoubtedly much more to be obtained 
when a systematic mode of mining is introduced ; but 
true wealth is in the rich soil, which, when properly cul- 
tivated yields a large remuneration ; and as a stock 
{^rowing county, this is probably not excelled in the 
State." 

The Southern Wisconsin passes through the centre of 
the- county, and Mmeral Point Rail Road through the 
South-west corner. 

JOWA. 

This is a mineral county, and one of the richest. It 
has a large trade in lead and copper which centres at 
Mineral Point. There are few countries abounding in 
minerals where the soil pays a fair remuneration to the 
cultivator. Yet the soil of this and the neighboring 
counties, is as good and as fruitful as any in Wisconsin. 



WISCONSIN. 38 

There is no belter for Indian corn, and it is not surpassed 
in other products of the State. The surface is abruptly 
rolling, well watered, being prairie and openings. There 
is some good land not yet taken up. 

Mineral Point, the county seat, is the largest and old- 
est village in that region. It is a thrifty place, the centre 
of a large mineral trade, and has smelting furnaces of 
lead and copper. It bids fair to be a large place, and 
will soon have an outlet in the Mineral Point Rail Road, 
down the Pickatonica to the State line, to unit<j with th« 
Chicago and Galena at Freeport. The Milwaukee and 
Mississippi R. R. is to pass along the Northern boundary. 

JACKSON. 

Jackson county lies on Black River, and is at present 
noted for its lumber. The Black River pinery is on 
Black River, extending through Jackson into Clark 
County. There are numerous saw mills on this stream 
affording f-mployraent to numerous hands. The general 
description of Chippewa, so far as its resources are con. 
cerned, ^'ill apply to Jackson. The whole of that region 
is but j-ist beginning to be known, and pi-eseata many 
inducements to the settler. 

JEFFERSON. 

This county lies on Rock River, is abundantly watered 
by that and its numerous branche?, which also afford 
extensive water power. These are improved at Water- 
town, the best in the county, at Jefferson and at Fort 
Atkinson. It has but littk prairie, and is more heavily 
timbered than" the Southern counties generally. Ther« 
is a heavy belt of hard timber occupying most of th» 
O 



S4 WISCONSIN, 

towns of "Watertown, Farmingtou, Ixonia, Concord, and 
Hebron. The soil in the Soiitliern part is inclined to 
?tandy, but is good, and well ada-pted to the growth of 
fruit, and the enllivation of those products requiring a 
warm soil. There are no public lands to any amount in 
the county. 

Watertown, on the I^orthern line of the county, is a 
fiouriahing city, the water power there being the best and 
krgest in that portion of the Stato. Its growth has been 
iteady, and it is the centre of a lieavy business. The 
Milwaukee and Watertown Rail Road is nearly cojn- 
pleted, and will be opened to this place in the Spring uf 
1855. 

Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Aztalan, Palmyra, and Lake 
Milla are places of activity. No county has so many 
prosperous vilages, which indicates a prosperous count j-y 
« round them. 

Besides the Watertown Rail Road, this county is tra- 
versed by the Milwaukee and Mississippi, the Wisconsin 
Central, and the Rock River Valley Rail Roads — the 
Milwaukee and Mississippi being the only one completed. 

KENOSHA. 

This is one of the oldest and smallest counties in the 
State, occupying the Southeast corner on Lake Michigan. 
The' county is mostly prairie, under excellent cultivation, 
ftnd is but a sample of what Wisconsin will be in iU 
manhood, wealthy and prosperous. There are of course 
no. public lands to be obtained. 

The Lake Shore Rail Road passes along the Lake, and 
tli« Kenosha and Beloit Rail Road is buildincr. 



WISCONSIN. 39 

Kenosha, tlic county seat, is a prosperous place, and is 
noted for tlie enterpride and intelligence of its inhabi- 
tants. A large produce export business is done at this 
port, for Avhich see the table of exports under its appro- 
priate head. 

KENA^AUNE^,. 

A. new and sparsely settled county, extending from 
Lake Michigan to Green Bay, and occupying the head 
of tlie peninsula. Its principal settlement is at the 
riiouth of the Kewaunee, and its principal trade is lum- 
ber, which is cut on that stream. There is much Go- 
vernment land in Kevraunee and most of it of a very 
good quality. 

LA CROSSE. 

La Crosse has recently attracted more attention thaa 
otiun* counties, from the fact of its being on the Weatern 
terminus of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail Road. 
iSottlers have been attracted there, because the soil is 
tpod, and affords good encouragement to agriculture. 
Its future prospects for prosperity are founded on the ex- 
pectation of the advantages to be derived from the open- 
ing of the Rail Road above alluded" to,, aad its present, 
eituation on the Mississippi, which atfords it conveyanc*. 
for all its surplus products, and its occupying the mouth 
of Black River, down \7hich the lumber floats to the 
Mississippi. A lumber field is as sure to make market 
for produce and merchandise as a New England factory, 
nnd is more certain of being an open market at all times. 
The village of La Crosse occupies just such a position for 
trade, which has called in a population rapidly. If its 



86 WISCONSIN. 

expectations are realised it will continue its rapid growth 
for some time to come. The La Crosse district land offica 
is at this place. 

LAFAYETTE. 

Lafayette is in the mineral region of "Wisconsin and its 
products are those of the mines. A very large propor- 
tion of the lead sent from this State is raised in Lafayette. 
Though the lands are rich, yet attention has so far heen 
attracted to its minerals, that its agricultural products 
have been but a small pai-t of its riches. Under the past 
system of prospecting for lead and copper, the uncer- 
tainty attending this brancli of industry has turned the 
attention of the miners to agriculture, and Lafayett« 
will undoubtedly soon show a more rapid increase of 
wealth and of stable prosperity than has ever at-ended 
mineral research. The land is good and mostly occupied. 
It lies in the Mineral Point land district. 

The Mineral Point and the Southern "Wisconsin Rail 
Roads pass through this county. Shullsburgh is tha 
county seat 

LA POINTE 

Lies on Lake Superior, and embraces a territory about 
64 miles square, and the group of islands in the Lake 
known as the Twelve Apostles. The land is not yet sur- 
veyed, and of course not in market. But little is known 
of the country. The county seat is on the South-west 
extremity of Madeline Island, which gives its name to 
the village and county — "The Point." La Poiute village 
Ib the oldest settlement of the State, not excepting Green 



wiscoNsiif. 37 

Bay. It is the best fishing ground on the whole Lake 
for trout, siscoette, and -white fish, more than a thousand 
barreb of wliich are annually packed at this place. 

MARATHON 

Extends from between towns 26 and 27 North to 
Michigan, 128 miles in its longest part, and is 42 miles 
wide. The Southern part only is surveyed, though the 
surveyors are now pushing towards the North. Its prin- 
cipal business is in lumber, and it sends a lai'ge amount 
down the Wisconsin. The soil is not generally good for 
agriculture, though good farms can be selected. The 
greater portion of the land is in the hand of Government. 
Wausau is the county seat, and a flourishing place. 
Little Bull Falls, about eight miles below Wausau, is 
also a prosperous lumbering place, and has in its vicinity 
some of the best farming lands of that region. All the 
county is in the Steven's Point land district. 

The surveyors, now employed in towns 33 and 34 N. 
and ranges 5, 6, 7, and 8 E., report a very rugged coun- 
try, with but a moderate quantity of pine, prevailing 
timber being birch, hemlock, maple, elm, tamarack, 6lc. 
The county is well v/atered with clea'* running streams, 
many small lakes, and occasional beautiful ridges of 
farming lands. As to the pine lands, on the upper part 
of the Wisconsin River, a heavy district of the best kind, 
as yet but little explored, lies on the Eagle branch in 
towns 37 and 38 N., ranges 8 and 9 E., as yet unsurvey- 
€d. This will soon be surveyed and brought into market. 
It lies on the road from Wausau to Lake Superior, and 
a settlement there will form a resting place between th« 



88 WISCONSIN. 

two. "We should fail in our duty did we not gire the 
credit of the above to the Pinery of Stevens Point. 

MARQUETTE. 

Named after the first voyager of the Fox River, who 
gave the name to the place now occupied by the village 
of St. Marie. It has not been settled a great length of 
time, but is fast gathering together the signs of thrift and 
■population. There is still much good land not occupied. 
It is of excellent quality, and has near communication to 
market. The Fox is navigated by steam boats to Berlin, 
to which place the Milwaukee and Iloricon Rail Road ia 
rapidly hastening. It is a county well watered, consist- 
ing mainly of openings, the soil rich, the inhabitants en- 
terprising, and the county beautiful. 

Berlin is the principal place. Dartford is the county 
seat. 

MANITOWOC 

Is situated on Lake Michigan, and is at present the 
most Northern county on the Lake, at whose ports any 
business is done. It is heavily timbered, and does a 
large busir:es3 in pine lumber. There are several large 
saw mills on the Manitowoc River. Much of the land is 
yet in the hands of the Government, and is of a superior 
quality. ;It is well watered, produces good wheat, and 
its numerous streams furnish abundance of power. 

Manitowoc, at the mouth of Manitowoc River, is the 
principal place of business, and is well located for future 
growth and prosperity. A rail road is chartered to run 
from this place to Menasha, at the foot of Liake Winne- 



WISCONSIN, 



•30 



bago, and though delayed for the present, it will be eon- 
Ptructed, at a time not far in the future. The Green 
Bay and Lake Shore Rail Road diverges from the Lake 
to Green Bay at this point, A plank road is also com- 
menced from Manitowoc West. 

Twin Rivers is another thriving port^ also engaged in 
the lumber ti-ade, six miies Xoith-cast of Manitowoc- 

This county lies in the Green Bay land district — offic« 
at Menaslia. 

MONROE. 

Formed out of La Crosse in 1854. It is Watered by 
the heads of the Kickapoo, La Ci-osse, and LemonTiier 
Rivers. Forests of pine are about the sour^jes -of \h« 
Kickapoo, which are yet scarcely broken in upon. The 
eettlementsare few and small, and the land mostly unsold. 
There is iKuch good farming land, though most of it is of 
light soil, and will be rejected till other lands are occu- 
pied. It lies in the La Crosse land district. %»arta, ini 
the La Crosse River, is the county seat. 

Jackson, on the Leraonwier, has been but recently 
laid out, and has a valuable mill privilege, in which the 
proprietor is erecting saw mills, white pine abounding 
in its vicinity. 

MILNA^AUKEE 

Is one of the smallest counties, and depends upon its 
commerce more than its agriculture or manufactures. It 
has been densely wooded with hard timber, and at leaai 
one half its surface is yet covered with it. Every 
foot of public land is of course long since taken up, and 
the majority of the farms are small and well tilled. 



iO wiscoNsirr. 

Milwaukee, the county seat, is the largest city in the 
State, and through this port a great part of the exports 
and imports pass. From it leads out the Mihvaukee and 
Mississippi Rail Road, now completed to Madison, with^ 
a branch to Janesvills — tiie AVaterLown, completed to 
Oconomowoc — the La Crosse, completed some distance, 
but not yet running, besides others building. For the 
Plank Roads, see their appropriated bead. It is not tha 
design of this wrork t*) give a history of the places named, 
especially of the towns and cities, and we leave the 
gi-owth and present population as forei.-'n to our present 
purpose. Our object is to aid the traveller and immi- 
grant, and in pointing out their routes to and through 
our State, we have accomplished our purpose in showing 
the central position and facilities of this as a centre of 
travel. For the exports and imports through the port of 
Milwaukee, see its appropriate head. The land office for 
Ihe Milwaukee district is located here. 

OCONTTO. 

This is another of those large counties partly surveyed, 
extending along Green Bay and Michigan, and occupy- 
ing a certain unknown and almost unexplored extent. 
It is well watered, and possesses extensive water powers 
and several navigable streams, at present but little used 
except for floating down pine lumber, now nearly tho 
only riches of the county. It is sparsely settled, most of 
it yet unsurveyed, and the land for agricultural purposes 
is said to be very poor; yet there are undoubtedly good 
farming lands to be found, and its facilities for reaching 
market will aeon induce a heavy population. A steamer 



WISCONSIN-. 41 

runs from Green Bay up the Oconto, 2nd from Oslikosb 
up the Wolf, nearly to the Southern line of the county. 
Nearly the whole of Oconto is in the Menasha land dis- 
trict, one range being in the Steven's Point. 

OUTAGAMIE 

Lies on the Lower Fox and Wolf Rivers, and has a 
combination of advantages, in water power, navigable 
streams, and excellent land, not excelled by any other 
county in the State. Some few years since, through the 
munificence of Mr Appleton of Boston, an institution of 
learning was endowed, and located at Appleton, thea 
covered with the forest and without a resident. In 1848 
there were few settlers in Outao-amie county except on 
the River. By a judicious selection of the site, and by 
improvement of the largest and best water power in the 
State, Appleton has sprung up to a village of about 2000 
inhabitants, while the whole county has kept nearly 
equal pace with the village. There is much good land 
Btill unoccupied in the county, but as this, Avith Wau- 
shara and Waupacca counties, are the favorite resort of 
immigrants, this land will not long remain in market* 
By some returns made this year, from the towns of Ell- 
ington and Kaukauna, the yield of wheat is about 30 
bushels to the acre. This wheat is of a superior quality 
to that grown in the Southern part of the State. 

A plank road is building from Appleton to Steven's 
Point. By the Northern Improvement Co , the Fox is 
made navigable the whole of the distance from Menasha 
to Green Bay. Appleton is the county seat, and the 
location of the Appleton Seminary, under the charge of 



4*2 WISCONSIN. 

the Episcopal Methodists, and the most enterprising and 
thrifty town of that region- To the enterprise and 
vigor of tlie Crescent, a journal published in Appleton, 
in calling attention to the resources of Outagamie, th« 
county owes much. 

OZAUKEl£. 

A Lake county, lying next Milwaukee on the North, 
It is small, containing but eight towns. Most of the 
farms of this county are small, and by tliis sub-division, 
they have been brought to a liigh degree of cultiva- 
tion. Ozaukee is the principal port. 

PiERCE. 

A new county, Ij'ing on the Mississippi, at the moufti 
of the St. Croix. It has so far attracted but little atten- 
tion. The country is represented to be good in some 
portions for agriculture. On the Eau Galle River, pine 
is cut, and a number of saw mill in operation. Prescott^ 
the county seat, is well located for business, at the mouth 
of the Chippewa River, and is a flourishing place. 
Pierce county is well watered, and has numerous mill 
sites yet unimproved. The land is yet mostly unsold. 
This county is in the Tf illow River land district, tlw 
office for which is at Hudson. 

POLK. 

A larger county farther up the St. Croix River, anil 
not yet fully surveyed. It will be in future the place 
to which immigration will be directed. At present it it 



WISCONSIN. 4(f 

sparsely settled, and its capabilities but little known, 
St Croix Falls is the only place where much of a settle- 
ment is made. Steam boats run regularly to this point 
Its business is lumber. 

PORTAGE. 

Portage County lies on the Wisconsin River and It« 
branches, and is almost exclusively engaged in lumber- 
ing, its whole supplies, till within a year or two, being 
drawn from below. Settlers have gone in during 1854, 
who have selected farms, and will soon bring their pro- 
duce to martet. For many years, the business at th« 
lumbering depots will make a ready market for all th« 
produce of the county. The land is not as good for agri- 
culture as most of the other counties, though there ar« 
locations for farms which cannot be surpassed. Th« 
county is filling rapidly. The AVisconsin Pinery is one 
of the oldest in the State, it having been surveyed, and 
timber cut, for about ten years, yet the population has 
probably doubled during the last year. Much land has 
been sold to actual settlers. The land office is at Steven'a 
Point. Portage, on the Wisconsin, is the county seat. 

Steven's Point is the largest place. Its present popu- 
lation is about 1000. 

RACINE 

Is one of the small, and old settled counties, lying in 
the South-eastern part of the State, and one of the most 
densely populated. It is prairie, interspersed with open- 
ings, with some heavy timber iu the Northern part. II 
is gently undulating in surface, and well watered. All 



44 WISCONSIN. 

the public lauds are taken up. The countj is im- 
proved and highly cultivated, and the farms of Racine 
will bear comparison with those in any other part of th« 
State. It is a good grazing and stock jjrowing county. 

Racine is the county seat, and the Lake port, beauti- 
fully located at the mouth of Root River, which tho 
enterprise of its citizens has converted into a good har- 
bor. The Racine Rail Road passes into the country 
West to Janesville, and is progressing. The Lake Shore 
Rail Road also passes through Racine. A plank road 
also reaches back to Dele van. Racine College, under 
the care of the Episcopal Church, is located here. 

ROCK 

Lies on both sides of Rock River, and is bounded on 
the South by Illinois. It is mostly prairie and openings, 
there being no heavy timber. The prairies are mora 
extensive than in other sections. Rock Prairie being the 
largest in the State. The soil is exceedingly rich, espe- 
cially in the* valley of the Rock. The Eastern part is 
not as well watered as other portions. It is a thickly 
•ettled county, Janesville is the county seat, and tha 
third or fourth in size in the State, many routes of travel 
centreing there. 

Beloit, in the Southern part, is a flourishing village, 
having water power on the Rock River and Turtle 
Creek. It is the location of Beloit College, a well en- 
dowed and flourishing institution, under the charge of 
the Wisconsin and Illinois Convention of Presbyterian 
and Congregational Churches. 



WI8C0KSIN. 45 

The Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail Road passes 
through the Northern part of Rock, having a branch 
from Milton to Janesville, which is ultimately to be con- 
tinued West to the Mississippi, as the Wisconsin South- 
ern. Rock River Valley Rail Road from the State lin« 
up the River. Beloit and Madison, now running about 
18 miles from . Beloit. Racine, having its terminus at 
Janesville, and the Kenosha and Beloit Road. 

RICHLAND. 

This is strictly an agricultural county, lying on th4 
North side of the Wisconsin River. It is well watered 
and well timbered, but not yet densely populated. Th« 
channels of immigration are up the Mississippi, on the 
West, and up the Wisconsin on tiie Ea^t, and Richland 
has failed to receive the attention that it deserves. Ther« 
is yet much good land not occupied, and at no xery dis- 
tant day it will command a good price. The face of the 
country is rolling; sometimes rising into high bluffs. The 
county is mostly timbered, with maple, wallnut, oak, and 
pine, interspersed with prairies. The water is soft, and 
abounds in fish. Lead and copper have been found ia 
the Southern part, and marble on Bear Creek. 

The Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail Road passes along 
the Southern boundary of the county, and will be the 
means of developing its resources very rapidly, by facili- 
tating the means of communication of travel and of im- 
migration. Richland, at the mouth of Pine River, on 
the Wisconsin, is the principal village. Richland Centr* 
i« the county seat. Richland county is in Mineral Point 



^6 IfV^ISCONSIN. 

land district, except four towns in the North-west 
corner. , 

SAUK. 

This county lies on the North and "West of the Wiscon- 
•in River. The soil North of the Baraboo River ia rich 
nnd well adapted to agriculture. From the Baraboo, 
Soufh, extending to the Wisconsin, rise the Wisconsin 
River Bliiffs, precipitous and stony, probably the higliest 
tands in the State. The soil on the blufis is good, thouglx 
etony, and from its position the land will never be held 
in very high estimation for agricultural purposes. The 
rest of the county is forest, openings and prairies. Some 
;portiona are level, while others are rolling and hillv, 
presen^^ing as great a variety as any other portion of the 
Slate. Considerable pine is cut on the Upper Baraboo. 
There is yet much good land unoccupied. The county 
has not made the progress for four or five years past 
which man}' other counties have. 

Baraboo, on the Baraboo River, is the county seat, and 
a }>lace of some butineis. It has a good water power, 
which has lain unimproved for two or three years, but 
arrangements are now made to use it. Reedsburgh is a 
thriving place. Prairie du Sac is on Sac Prairie, on the 
Wisconsin, the most beautiful village site in the State. 

Devil Lake in the Bluffs, is a natural curiosity. Its 
banks are steep and rocky, rising from 150 to 200 feet. 
Its waters have no outlet, are clear, abounding in fish, 
■«nd its depth has never been ascertained. 

The La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail Road follows up 
th« North-east eide of the Wisconsin River, and crosaci 



WISCONSIN'^ 4T 

into this county at Xewport, a thriving village, where ft 
dam is soon to be thrown across the river, which will 
make an excellent water pov^^er. 

The county is in tho Mineral Point land district. 

SHEBOYGAN 

Lies on Lake Michigan, 50 miles North of Milwaukee 
It is heavily timbered with oak, maple, ash, hickory and 
pine. The soil is light, inclinitjg in some parts to sand, 
but is productive, and raises wheat of the best quality. 
Sheboygan wheat bears a higher price in market than 
that raised farther Soutli. The poplation is American, 
German and Dutcli. The Niewsbode, the only Dutch 
paper, with but one exception, published in the United 
States, is printed here. A plank road extends from She- 
boygan to Fond du Lac. There is but little public lan<l 
in market. It is in the Menasha land district, except 
the Southern tier of towns, which is in the Milwaukee. 

Sheboygan, the principal place, is on the Lake Shore, 
and is the poi't of shipment {or a large back country. 
For its exports and imports see the avipropriate article. 

SHA\A/AUNA\A^. 

A county formed two years since, and not yet wholly 
in market. The land is good, high, and the climat* 
healthy. It is timbered with pine, but is also a good 
agricultural county. Much of the pine cut, is floated 
down the Wolf, and up and down the Fox, where it is 
pawed. Steamers run up the Wolf to Lake Shawaunaw. 
A large business has been done by these steamers during 
the Summer of 1854, which indicates an increase of 



4:8 TTISCONSIK. 

population and Lusiness in that region. Sha"waiina\^, at 
the outlet of the Lake of the same name, is the count/ 
seat. 

The county is in the Menasha land districts 

ST. CROIX 

Is on the lovrer part of St. Croix River, and is one of 
those counties towards wliich the tide of immigration is 
now setting. It has all the varieties of surface, gently 
rolling, with pi'airie, openings, timber, hard and pine. 
Its present principal export is pine lumber. For ngri- 
cultui-al purposes, the land bordering on "Willow and 
Apple Rivers, seem to have the preference, at least most 
cf the lands purchased by actual settlers are selected 
there. As an illustration of the rapid increase of popu- 
lation, in 1850, the census showed that the whole county 
contained 248 inhabitants; in 1854, at least 3,000. 

St. Croix ofTers peculiar inducements to mechanics, as 
water power is abundant, and the rush of immigration 
iato Wisconsin and Minisota opposite, -will afford a mar- 
ket for househ-old furniture for some time to come. Lum- 
ber is cheap, and is almost inexhaustible. The Hudson 
North Star liolds out strong inducements, especially for 
ft Pail Factory, on the ground that cedar is abundant, 
and the smaller pine trees being left by the lumberei'S, 
because the larger seem inexhaustible, can be purchased 
at low rate. 

It is said that about 2500 men "will be employed in the 
Bt. Croix Pineries during this winter (1854 and '5;) Pine- 
ries all over the State give some employment to many 
young men, who come to the State seeking a location, or 



TVISCONSIN. 49 

who prefer to earn something during the Winter fCMOB, 
after the location is made. 

Hudson i3 the county seat, and contains the land of- 
fice for the Willow River land district. It is a pleasant 
and thriving village, on Lake St. Croix, six miles below 
Stillwater, (in Minesota) eighteen East of St. Paul, and 
twenty -two miles above the foot of the Lake. It pot- 
sesses very decided commercial advantages, and ie fast 
rising into importance. It has a large and increasing 
intercourse with St. Louis and other river cities. Its 
present population is about 1000. It has fifteen stores. 

TREMPELEAU, 

Made out of Buffalo, in 1854. Its name is derived 
from the French name of a small hill in the Mississippi 
River. It is watered by the Trempeleau River and its 
branches, the Mississippi and Black Rivers passing along 
its bounds. It contains about twenty townships, most of 
which is of excellent quality for agricultural purpoeea 
Already Fettleraents have been made in the Southern 
part, and fine tracts of Government' land now rcraaia 
unoccupied, which hold out inducements to immigrant* 
eeeking a home. 

Monteville is a little village, at an excellent landittg o« 
the Mississippi. Galesville is the county seat. 
. Trempeleau is iu the La Crosse land district. 

VVA3H4NGTON. 

Washington lies a short distance from Lake Michigan, 
Ozaukee being between. It was originally heavily tim- 
bered with oak, maple, beach, hickory, &.c., but much of 
it has been cleared. It is an agricultural county «zclu« 
D 



50 WISCONSIN. 

iively, and the farms are small, as tliey are mostly in all 
the heavily timbered counties. Its progress has been 
rapid, and many of Ihe original German settlers have 
become wealthy. Many, during the past year, have be- 
come uneasy, and in the true spirit of " breaking up," 
have sold their farms and "gone AVe&t." Their places 
hav« been quickly taken, and the change has brought in 
II more intelligent and enterprising people. The popula- 
tion consists principally of German and Irish immigrants. 

West Bend is the connty seat. 

The La Crosse and Milwaukee R. E. passes through 
ibe South Western part. 

WAUKESHA 

Lies next West of Milwaukee, and was originally a 
part of it. The face of the country is rolling, rising in 
the North-west part to high table land. East of Fox 
River is heavy timber. West, openings with a few small 
prairies. There is considerable marsh land, but no more 
than is needed for hay meadov\-s. The marshes in this 
and most other portions of the State can generally be 
drained, and will eventually become rich meadows. The 
lands are nearly all good, and well cultivated. Summit, 
in the North-west part, contains some of the best farms 
in the State. It is ail well watered with streams and 
lakes, and has many good water powers. 

Waukesha, near the centre, is the county se^t. It has 
a good water power, and is the location of Carroll Col- 
lege, under the charge of the Presbyterians. This insti- 
tution has a fine stone building, is fully officered, and has 
a ■well qualified corps of instructors. Its prospects are 



WISCONSIN. 51 

fair, aiul is intoii'le-l by its friends, tliat it shall not be 
inferior to any eolloge in the West. 

Oconomowoc, now t!ie terminus of the Milwaukee and! 
Watertown Rail Iload, id a flourishing place, and does a 
large l)n-ines?. 

Tlie Milwaukee and Mlc-siiiippi, and the Milwaukee 
and Watertown Rail Road?, both in operation, pasa 
through tlie whole lenglli of tlie eonnty. There is also a 
charUr for a Ra'd Road from V/aukeslia.down the Eox 
Rivor. 

VVALV/ORTH, 

Having good farming lands, was rapidly settled at an. 
early day. The JS^orth part of the county is rolling, be- 
ing openings, interspersed with small prairies and well 
watered, and dotted with numberless little lakes. The 
South-western part has more praiiies, and they are of 
greater extent. The water-falls are numerous, but not 
sufficient to create any great power, but enough, in 
almost all parts of the county, for milb. The soil is of 
an exeellent quality, and. well cultivated, and it ia con* 
feidered one of the richest counties in the State. Elkhorn, 
the county seat, is located in the geographical centre, 
and is a beautiful place. Whitewater, the only depot 
on the 2*Iihvaukee and Mississippi Rail Road in Wal- 
vrorth, is the largest place, and of some inaportance as a 
market foi* the surrounding countr}'. Delevan and 
Geneva are good sized villages. 

The Milwaukee and MississiI^pi — the Kenosha and Be- 
loit — the Racine — the Wisconsin Central and the Rock 
River Valley Rail Roads all pass for a greater or less 



52 WISCONSIN. 

distance throngb this county. The Racine and Janes- 
yille Plank Road ha» its Western terminus at Deleyan. 

WAUSHARA, 

In its general feature?, is similar to Marquette, of 
which it formed a part till 1851. It is rapidly increas- 
ing in population, having abundance of water power, 
and the county generally being excellent land and well 
watered. It is but a few years since it was known as 
the " Indian Lands," now receiving a population which 
will soon develope its resources. It holds out strong in- 
ducements to the immigrant, in the excellent combination 
of wood, openings, water, &c. 

"Wautoma, on the head waters of V/hite River, is the 
county seat. It has a good water power, and machinery 
driven by it, now employed in the manufacture cf plows, 
chairs, &c. 

Fox River passes through the South-east corner of the 
county, on which steam boats run to Eei-iiu in Marquette, 
which lies nearly on the line of the two counties, and is 
practically a market for Waushara also. The Mih^aukee 
and Horieon Rail Road is now building to Berlin, and 
its charter continues it to Steven's Point, through the 
centre of the county. 

There is abundance of good public land yet to be had. 
It is partly in the Menasha, but mostly in the Steven's 
Point land district. 

WAUPACCA 

Is a new county, lying north of the Fox River, which, 
four or five years since, was almost entirely uninhabited. 
The land along the Fox is of superior quality; The whole 



WISCONSIN. 53 

conntj is said to be excellent, and the combination of 
Avater, timber and prairie in almost every part, render it 
attractive to tbe immigrant. In some parta the soil is in- 
clined to be sandy, but productive. Some of the best 
pine is cut in Waupacca. Good Government land is yet 
to be had in abundance. The present populntiou of the 
county is about lOOO. 

"Weyauwega, on the Waupacca River, a few miles 
above its mouth, has grown rapidly within the paat year, 
and is very neatly and compactly built. Its business 
arises from its manufacture of lumber. 

The Wolf River, through this county, is navigated by 
steam boats, which run from Oshkosh to Shawaunaw. 
A plank road is building from Appleton. to the Wolf 
River. 

The Western range of towns is in the Steven's Point 
land district, the rest in the Green Bay. 

WINNEBAGO 

Is on the West side of the Lake of the same name, and 
from its location, has the best advantage* of inland com- 
merce of any county in Wisconsin. Into this Lake flows 
the Fox, the largest and most easily navigated river in 
the State. The Wolf, the main stream instead of thd 
upper Fox, is also navigable for a great distance, and the 
increased business prophecies a large trade to centre 
around Lake Winnebago. The soil of the county is ex- 
cellent ; the Eastern part, along the Lake Shore, is heav- 
ily timbered ; the Western, prairie and openings. Th« 
region along the Fox is marsh, extending from half to 
two miles back, and in no case, in it» whole course 



54 WISCONSIN. 

throu-b the county, has it bigli banks on botb sides, ex- 
cept at Osbkosb. There is some Government land not 

y«t taken, 

^ Osbkosb is tbe county seat, and tbe largest place m 
the State nortb of Fond du Lac. It is near the moutb 
of tbe Fox, and well situated to command a large trade. 
Several steam*saw mills are located bere, and along the 
Lake Sbore, employed in manufacturing lumber from 
'logs floated down tbe Wolf. 

Winneconne, on tbe Wolf, at tbe only crossing place, 
on account of tbe marsb, bus a good bridge for crossing, 
ftnd is a growing village. 

Neenab and Menasba, on opposite sides of tbe Fox, at 
its outlet, are botb places of note, and flourisbing. Tbe 
Fox is bere divided into two streams, by Doty's Island, 
on botb of wbicb are falls, creating good and abundaiit 
power, wbicb are partly improved for manufacturing 
purposes. Tbe Fox Kiver Improvement bas its lower 
terminus at Menasba. Tbis improvement consists in 
building canals around some of tbe rapids, and by creat;- 
ing slack water above tbem, tbus rendering tbe wbolc 
Btr°eam navigable from Lake Winnebago to Gren Bay. 

The Green Bay district land office is at Menasba, and 
tbe wbole of Winnebago county is in that district. 



wieeoirsiw. 



55 



COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. 



The following tables, alluded to in this work when 
speaking of the Ports in the various counties, are drawn 
principally f,-om the Collector's books at the different 
p aces of shipment, and may be relied on as correct, 
Ihey were obtained principally for publication in the 
]^.xlwaukee Sentinel These facts, better than any de- 
clamation, show the actual products and manufactures 
of the State. Besides these, the ]Sx,rthern portion of the 
btate have disposed of a large portion of its surplus pro- 
duce to actual settlers; and the Western, nearly all to 
the settlers in it, and to immigrants gcing up the Missis- 
mppi into Wisconsin and Minnesota, of which no statistic* 
can be given. 

KENOSHA. 

^'^'h""" ■ '^''^^ ....$€61,000 0. 

^'•^^'^°-' 121.283.... 103,000 5S 

^^^^•^°-' 500,320 .... 162.022 49 

^"™'/°-' 14,171.... 7,085 50 

p^7'^«'; 4,172..., 3,387 60 

Potatoes, do, 10,645.... 4,285 «0 

Grass Seed, do., gl^ ,^^ 

f^^-^-^"^-' 207.... 258 75 

^^T''^^^^- 8,924.... 64,699 00 

^Z:f-^ 5,213.... 59,959 50 

"^'"^**«-' 1,462.... 23.39209 

^^^^•^''•' 223.... 1,776 Of 



»6 



WISCONSIN. 

572 ... 14,300 00 

T^f^y'^^'^ 089 .. 867 00 

»*«^^«'^''-' 621* . 4,347 CO 

^J^^'","-' ; 830*.... 4.980 00 

»eer,do, 41.300 00 

Cwting9,ton9, •••• 266.()00^00 

Blerchandise, do. ' ' ^^ 

Merchandise, bbls bulk, 4,^U .... ^,^^^ ^^ 

Hay.tons, ^ •"• '^gg ^o 

He^P'dOo • 1475 '.V.'. 3.387 50 

Malt, bags, ^' j^2^00 

Rags, bales, 10064**" 2,052 80 

TVi'"'"" .':.* 102^362 :;;: 33,779 46 

W'*^^'**^-' 390000 .. 58,800 00 

«j^«^' ^47:... 3,235 00 

S^^^P' 070 5,100 00 

HorseL '.*■.■.■.'.■.*'.'*.*■.*.*. 113 .... 1,130 00 

"°'^^^*' *459 .. 34.425 80 

^^^"^' ^" *104*.... 15.600 00 

C^''"^^^^' *679 . 23,765 00 

CookStoves, 'i' \mm 

Box and parlor Stoves, ^^0.... 500 00 

P^'P ^""^^^ ' *5 •" 7,500 00 

gteam Engines, ^"- ' rn on 

Zinc Wash Boards, patent, .... *l,OoO .... 3,150 00 

Shreshing Machines, Corn Shel- ^ ^^ a joo OO 

lers, and Straw Cutters, .... 5 _________ 

Tot.l, $1,710,237 Oft 

The figures marked thus * were derived from other 

.onrce3. Tiz.,-the enterprising manufacturers of the 

articles enumerated* 

RACINE. 

Flour bbl9 13,404.... $96,508 00 

XW 409,805 .... 51.255 0. 

Oat8,de., 705,114 .... 225,636 48 



WISCONSIN. 



57 



Barley, do., 

Rye, do., 

Corn, do., 

Potatoes, do., 

Grass Seed, do., 

Flax Seed, do., 

Pork, bbls., 

Beef, do., 

Hams and Shoulders, do. 

Lard, do., 

Tallow, do., 

Beans, do., 

Salt, do., 

Potash, do., 

Merchandise, tons, 

Castings, do., 

Butter, lbs., 

Packing Barrels, 

Eggs, bbls., 

Fish, do., 

Leather, lbs., 

Wool, do., 

Hides, 

Brick, m., 

Hags, bales, 

Lumber, feet, 

Ship Knees, 

Reapers and Threshers, . 

Horses, 

Wagons, 

Sheep, 

O/eu, 

Wood, cords, ^ . 

Lime, bbls., 

R, R Timber, feet, 

Hay,tons, 



inG,509 

4,000 

18,758 

12,972 

3,838 

758 

4,570 

2,159 

1,155 

533 

170 

375 

170 

70 

407 

175 

235,800 

14,405 

117 

477 

26,200 

198,825' 

2,090 

,079,385 

764 

600,000 

502 

36 

15 

21 

500 

36 

5,090 

472 

94,981 

1,600 



79,881 75 

3,000 00 

9,379 00 

5,188 80 

8,653 50 

949 50 

52.555 00 

25.481 00 

16,170 00 

13,325 00 

5,100 00 

803 25 

3S2 50 

1,750 00 

101,750 00 

17,500 OO 

35,520 00 

15,845 50 

. 93G 00 

3 339 00 

5,240 OO 

C5.C12 25 

6,270 oa 

* 5396 00 
1.528 00 

12,000 00 
2,008 00 
4,500 00 
2.250 00 
l,6c9 00 
2,.500 00 
1,800 UO 

15,270 00? 

472 00 

7,273 4,4 

16,000 CO 



Total, $1,381,69177 



58 WISCONSIN. 

MILWAUKEE. 

The past year has exhibited a very large increase in 
the whole range of Imports and Exports at this port. 
Very few articles under either head show any decrease 
from former years, while in many articles — and some of 
tliose under the class of Exports, in which other ports 
fhow a decrease — our figures ai'c considerably larger than 
heretofore. The crops in this State have been of the 
best^ and the weather (with timely rains) favorable 
for securing those crops, so that we are enabled to 
show a surplus from our young State which will go far 
to place it in the first rank for agricultural importance. 
With the progress of settlement, the increase of surplus 
produce, and continued good prices for everything which 
we have to sell, have come an increased ability and desire 
to purchase the comforts of life, and accordingly we no- 
tice a much greater aggregate of Imports, as the figures 
below will indicate. 

"We have, been well av/arc of the defective character 
of our Custom House Reports, resulting by no means 
from any neglect on the part of the officer in charge, to 
whose desire to obtain correct figures we cheerfully bear 
testimony ; but from the scanty nature of the reports giv- 
en to him. A large quantity of produce and merchan- 
dise is shipped through the season, by propellei-s and 
pleamers from the outer piers, bound to the lower Lakea, 
to Lake Superioi*, and to ports on this Lake and to Green 
Bay, of which scarcely any account is evei- obtained, at 
tlie Custom House.* 

With regard to the imports, the reports given by steam 
^♦i-asels, whether from Lake Erie or elsewhere, are almost 






WISCONSIN. 59 

unlformlv defective. Merchandise by sail-vessels is more 
correctly reported, but there is still a great want of de- 
tail here. 

AVith the desire to present to our readers, for once at 
least, the actual Imports and Exports into and from this 
port, in such dfttail as shall enable persons in almost 
every branch of business, to see at a glance its extent for 
the past season, we have gone patiently through the Ee- 
ceiving and Shipping Books of all of our forwarders, 
Some eighteen or twenty in number, andliave culled out 
from their pages the figures which follow. For their cor- 
rectness we pledge ourselves, having taken the greatest 
pains in gathering, them. Several items, such as the 
number of arrivals and departures of vessel?, number of 
passengers arrived, lumber, railroad iron, and coal, vvo 
take from the Collector's Tleport : 

Number of arrivals of Steam and Sail Vessels, . v, 2,050 

Passengers, 40,031 

Lumber, £7,750,000 

Shingles, ni., 10,480 

Lath, pieces, 7,000.000 

Railroad Iron, tons, • 7.,244 

Locomotives, 10 

Hardware, Bar Iron, and Steel, tons, 7,773 

Pig Iron, do, 1,089 

Crockery and Glassware, do., 927 

Grindstones, do., 429 

Coals, do., 8 400 

Merchandise, unspecified, do., 9,468 

White Lead, kegs, 15 .594 

Gia.ss, boxes, 15,93S 

Sugar, hhds., ; 3,705 

Sugar, bbls., 1 3,779 

Wola.sses, hhds., 2'J2 



60 WISCONSIN. 

Molasses, bbla., 3,890 

NaU3,kegs, 22,093 

Whiskey, (mostly high wines) bbls., 7,378 

Liquors, packages, ....- 5,719 

Tobacco, pounds, 846,846 

Cheese, do., 230,895 

Fruit, do., 877,712 

Leather, do., 524,513 

Apples, Green, bbls., 23,804 

Oysters, do., 1,102 

Salt, bbls., 48,524 

Salt, bags, 54,317 

Water Lime, bbls., 2,125 

Plaster, do., 209 

Cider,do., r 105 

Oil, casks, 2,683 

Coffee, bags, 12,825 

Soap, boxes, 4,821 

Trees, bundles, 892 

Wagons, 833 

Horses, 1,750 

Threshing Machines, 83 

Other Machines, 23 

Rakes, Horse, 274 

Rakes, Hand, dozen, 336 

Steam Engines, 93 

Hides, 696 

Rags, lbs., 83,468 

Fire Brick, 31,700 

Grapes, boxes, 191 

Bai-rels Bulk, 2,325 

Some remarks may be necessary and appropriate re- 
lative to the above' figures ; the comparison with last 
year as to some of the items, "sve gif e below. 

Receipts of over 1000 tons of pig iron from the east 
will be uoticed, while it will also be found that we have 



vriscoz'Siy. 15 X 

ehipped nearly lialf that anionnt, the proJuce of this 
State. It 13 quite probable that most of the pig iron 
thus brought from below is taken in as balhst during 
the dull season of the year for sail vessels. The Dod*r<, 
County iron, sliipped from this port, is in request and 
much approved for foundry purposes at CJiicago, to 
whicli port most of it is sent. 

The amount of white lead, in kegs, imported, being 
loearly 400.000 lbs., suggests the inquiry whether the 
manufacture of this article could not be carried on here, 
to the great benefit of all concerned, rather than to Lava 
the lead shipped hence, and returned with added cost, 
to the State where it is dug from the earth. 

An item for the Maine Law people is found in the 
large amount of whiskey imported. Full tliree quarter* 
of the number of barrels given are highwines, each bar- 
rel of which is equal lo at least four of commoii whiskey. 
Into how many other kinds of liquors these spirits are 
changed before they go out to the trade, is one of th« 
secrets of the craft. The packaffes of liquors given in 
the table are pipes, casks, ^ \, and I casks, baskets and 
boxes, a great part of it imported. 

Virginia (not to mention Connecticut) it will be seen, 
is furnished in our State with a large market for the pro- 
duce of its tobacco plantations. The amount imported, 
at this port alone, i<; nearly equal to two pounds for every 
man, woman and child in the State. 
^ As to the leather, it is proper to state that a very con- 
■iderable portion of the imports are from the Wisconsin 
Leather Co.'s Tannery at Two Elvers, which is mostly 
owned here, and the business of which is conducted here. 



g2 WISCONSIN. 

A large quantity of rough leather is annually shipped hv 

Ihe concern mentioned, direct from Two Rivfers to Boston. 

We compare below, some few of the items of import 

for the year 1853 and 1854 : 

1853. ]8.j1. 

Arnva!s,No., 1^^3 .... 2,080 

Passengers 23.-. .... 40,01 

Salt,bbl., ^'^^ •••• ^^ 

Salt,bags, 43,2;.0 .... 54.317 

Water Li ra<-, bbl3., 8.i6 .... -l^j 

Apples, Green, do., l^-*0 • • • • ^3,804 

CoaMons, ^-^'^ ••- ^^^^ 

Rail Road Iron, do., 6 921 .... /.244 

Lumber, feet, 15 OOG 000 .... 27,750 000 

I^tl, .5.300.000 .... 7,000,000 

Shinge?,... 9,00O,0CO ....10,480,009 

But for the early setting in of winter, v>hioii cauglit 
many of our ^vessels in the ice, or damaged them^ by 
storm, on their pil8^age up, the amount of railroad iroii 
end coal tliis year would have been largely increased. 

Tlie increase in the lumber trade is worthy of particu- 
lar notice. 

We proceed to the state nu-ut of cxporta by Lake for 
the past season of navigation : 

Number of depai tares of steam and sail vossuls, . . 2 023 

w-r"^-' v":"-- 

^7'f' ;; 4.44S7 

2"^:''^' 323.267 

f^-^^>;'^"-' 131,179 

Grass Seed do., J^'^j^^^ 

Potatoes, do., *" 

„ , 5 9J1 

«ea"''' ^''^•' 109^ 

C»io"^'^«' ,49. 

Cranberries, do., ' 



WISCONSIN". ^.^ 

Flour, bbls., 

Pork, do., * 155,0.5 1 

Hams, do., 24 55H 

Lurd, do., 3 690 

Bacon, lbs., '..!..!. ^'^6 

Beef, bbls., .'.*.',*." i^'i-^iQ 

Lime, do., * ' 7 521 

Beer, do., l-,87:{ 

Vinegar, do., \ 8,500 

Glue, do., ,. . '"'^ 

Coal Tar, do., ....'*..'*,.. ^'^^ 

Whiskey, do , *. , V * ^50 

Pig Iron, tons, '.*. ^65) 

Tobacco, lbs., '.'.'.*.'.,'. ''27 

Broom Corn, bale?, ....'.*.*.* ^"^'^-^ 

>\she?, Pot? aiid Poarl? cask- '^ 

Rags, lbs, ' 2,04(3 

Ginseng, do., ][[[ 4S,8S(i 

Butter^o., .'.' ' * * ^,035 . 

Woo!, do., .*.*..'.*.' 3,5,500 

Shot, do., ,".'. /' 2i'6,453 

Cheese, do., .' * ] ] 20,.52.5 

Furs, do., .* * ' * 40,350 

Leather, do., * 9.543 

Hop.-=, do., *. 238,034 

Barrels, Packing, Floar'a^d Pork,* .';; 'f'^^«- 

Brick, ' 18,273 

Soap, boA-cs, V. 3,645,000 

Candles do., ^«27I 

Starch, do., .'.'**.'."..* ^'^9<* 

Saleraius, do. ] * * * i)286 

Staves, i\o , .'.'..'.*. ' * * ^'^^'^ 

Stoves do,, .'.*.'.*.*,' G7l,20a 

Ship Knees, do,, ^23 

Salt, bbls., 513 

Salt, bags .'.* .*.*.*.'.".'. ^'-^3 

Brooms, doz., 947 

Eggs, do., V. 2,518 

57,300 



^4 wiscoifsix. 

2,878 

Dried Fruit, bush., ^^^ 

Matches, boxes, ^^^ 

Farina, bbls., *•■■■ ^^^g^^ 

Hair,lbs., g^^ 

Fish, Salt, )i bbls., ^^ ^ 

Fish, Fresh, boxes, ^^^^"^^ 

Hides, No., . . .- ^\qq 

Merchandise, not specified, tons, • • • • 

The above table, taten from the books of fovwavder., 
.hows the actual value of export, by Lake from Mdwau^ 
kee for the yt^ar 1854 to be Fhe Millions Seven Hundred 
cndEigldy-five Thousand Lallan, and this sum is arriv- 
ed at by taking a low estimate of the value of the arti- 
cles shipped. The comparative table is given below. 

The above table is the result of figures taken from tlia 
books of the forwarders, and is entirely accurate so far 
as thcv are concerned ; but in regard to sundry of the 
itema.'the figures are not large enough, since large quan- 
tities of stores for the lumber regions have been .hipped, 
of A'hieh no account appears. 

C<mparatlve Table of Exports for 1852, '53 and '64. 
1850 1853. l?54. 

Wheat, buBh., 428,512 ....1,181,^ ■-''^^f^^l 

C,,,.n do Kone none 2G8,82a 

IZ'lo 295,895.... 162,233.-.. 454,487 

Villi:*. U.U., .-,--. I or»o Oi*T 

oQroo7 250,727 323,2G7 

OrSstl-d.-d;. C.006.... IMM.... 17,503 

f.otatoes,do., none none 5t-,44. 

Beiuiado, none.,... none i>,9W 

~*., e3,.,3.... m.l6.... «5,«5 

VnvV do 21,522.... 12,741.... 24,558 

^:™.d::.:.. v"-- >.«»^-- '-z 



WISCONSIN. 65 

Bacon, lbs., [none reported.] 184,2-59 

Beef,bbl8., 6,767 4-970 7,524 

Lime, do., ■ ..'.. 3,2Q0 .... 12,633 

Beer, do., 645.... 3.639 " 8,500 

Brick,m, 701 3,425.... 3,6*45 

B utter, lbs , 2C8,053 92,630 .... 305,500 

Wool, do., 289,784 .... 412,431 .... 226,158 

'Hop?, do, .... 8,960.... '68.6^6 

Staves, ....:..... „ 138,250 . . ... 537,730 .... 671,200 

Ashes, casks,.. ;1.380 .... > :2,380 2,046 

Eggs, doz., 38,790 131,900 67,300 

Barrels, '. . 1,163.... 3,527.... 18,273 

Hides, .... 12,438.... 10,049 

Starch, boxes, 653.... 1,286 

Soap,do., .... 1,700 4,171. 

With regard to the other items of export, we have too 
(lata for comparison with former years, but the increase 
is large upon most of them. The decrease in several of 
the items above mentioned is accounted for, in some 
cases, by the fact that prices were not sufficient] v remu- 
nerative to bring them forwawl. The avooI crop was a 
much larger one than that of the previous year, but the 
shipment exhibits a large falling oflf, there bei*^ a <*on* 
eiderable amount of the clip ^:tiil in the hands of tjie far* 
raers. At Burke tfe Co.'s Woolen Factory, on tli^^^water 
power,: about 50,00.() lbs.. have.bee.n worked up into yarn, 
flatinels,* sliawls, searf*^, | clothe and- cassimeres, and 
15,000 lbs. have been carded into I'oJls to be manufac- 
tured by families in the couiitiy. 

The brick b-usiness. has been • driven a-head' fei'i=kly, 
though from the home deM7a!.\i being very gvhai, the 
Bhipments do not exhibit. a large increase. ISome, Si5Ht300 
have been sent to New York city .iduring the seawu.,' .k 
E 



dfl WISCONSIN. 

The comparative shipment of leading items of Grain, 
for five years past, is as follows : 

1850. 1851. 1852. 1853. 1854. 

Wheat, 297.578 130,794 42i3.5f2 1,181,090 2,052,319 

Barley,... 15,270 99,897 282.237 250,727 323,267 

^'bats...... 2,700 55.124 295,895 102.233 424,487 

Corn,. ••^. 5,000 20,430 none. none. 208.529 

Kye, none. none. 05,142 97271 ' 131,175 

•i!otal Bush. 320,540 312,245 1,071,786 1,691,321 3,230,077 

It will be seen by the shipping tables in a previous 
page that the number of barrels of flour sent forward, is 
about equal to last year, althoHgh the mills in this city 
were almost idle for many weeks for want of water; and 
were doing little for the last few weeks of navigation, on 
account of the stringency of the money market. What- 
ever deficiency arose fiom this cause, has been m.ade up 
by receipts from the country. As near as wc have been 
&'tAa to ascertain, the five mills on the water power made 
over 100,000 barrels of flour during the year. 

OZAUKEE. 

Flour, bbls., 10.000 

Wheal, bush., 20,C00 

Rye, do., 10.000 

^: I^otatoes, do., 15.000 

K ,.Wood, cords J3X'U0 

'" Slaves, iUOOOO 

Sbooks, iMinche?, ' 6,000 

Brick 2 500.000 

Rail Road tiee, 5,000 

The aggregate value of the above articles of export i» 
»<>t far from $160,000. 



i 



WISCONSIIf. Ql 
SHEBOYGAN. 

Wheat, bush., 216,631 ^STO.TSa 75 

Barley, «lo., i!5,981 .... 10,485 75 

Oats. df». KM-17. . 3,247^04 

Peas ami lieans, d«., 1,787 !,787 00 

Potatoes, do., 1 3,36-3 5.,:544 80 

Cranberries, do , 201.... 482 25 

Grass Seed, do., 9040,... £0.340 C9 

Kycsdo., 2,431).... 1.8C9 75 

Lninbt r, fcet, 3.705-000.... 4a,J>?ftO0 

I.ftth,do.. 2,C13,Q0a 8,532 50 

Bquare Tmvbcr, do., 4,000 .'. . . 560.00 

Shi nglt-;-', No 2,102,000 .... , 3,t^77; 50 

Rail Ftoad lies, do.,. 10.000.... 1.800 00 

Cedar Post?, do., 235 000 .... 37.600 00 

Stave*, do, .1,546,000 ,.,. 12.368 GO 

Hoop Poles, do., 18,000 .... 126 00 

Spokes, do., 30,000 225.00 

Merchandise, Ions, 46.... 11. .500 00 

Pot and Pearl Ashos, 168 . , . , 4.20*1 00 

Sakr.itiis, do 45.... 5,010 00 

OasUnps, do, 18 .... 1.8G0 00 

Flour, bbl3., 7,655,.., 55,494 75 

Pork,do., ,11...-; 156 Oa, 

Hatap, do , £2,... 286 00 

Apples, do, 34.... 1C200 

Eggs.do., 11..,. 88 00 

High Wine?, do., 22 484 00 

Whi^k-cjy, do., 34 598 GO 

Sugar, .lo , 8.... 19200 

Linseed Oil, d9., 12.... 480 00 

Salt,do., 418 . 836 00 

Fish, 1^ bblc?., 4.317.... 15.109 50 

Beer, do., 3,476 10,428 00 

Beer, hhds , 50.... 2,500 00 

Packing Barrels, ,^538 .... 3,rm 00 

Fiu-niiure, bbl3, bulk, ,, 825 825 0C> 



jgg ^ISCOXBIN. 

Chair Stuff, do., 323 %9 00 ; 

Household fioods, do., 328 ... . ' 164 00 

WooUbs., 204..,00.... 67.320 00 

.T,u«er,do. H,2^0.... 2,133 00 

■ICa.^, bales, 152.... 204 00 

.IIops,do., 42.... 2,940.00 

Leather, rolls,.....: H .... 140 80 

Common Baskets, 833.... 333 20 

Hides, packages,... 549.... 2,745 00 

Malt,bags, 50.,.. 12. «)0 

Tab.and Pails 4,294.... 1,288 00 

20 200 00 

Stoves, - ••• ^^ .... 

Thresh iug Machines, 1 • • • • ^JO 00 

B,icn 247.000.... 1-23500 

WagoliHubs, 2,516 .... 1-253.00 

W<o rs •• 20 .... 2.000 00 

T^,Ses""*' r.'''".**.*^ 1« •••• 2700;00 

FarL?;,-'::;::::..: ^^■- i-^««^ 

.'Sr"' :::::;:::::::;:::::: ^;5:::: 1:So; 

. -J' ,' , 8 000 16 000 00 

'•' If^eod, cords, "'""" 



•) (! 



^yta,/ , §663,168,99 



GREEN BAY. 

Lumbor,laet .:..„,. 7,835m .... 70,680 00 

Fish,bbls..... •.... .2,326.... I6,.b2 00 

■■ noar.do....... •3,-.97..... 2,3.276 00 

gu- ,,e. ...21,U0.UU0 .... •43,U73 00 

Boit^c^^rX;:"::::'...: ^^■- y^^^^ 

Tanber,foct,.„' 100,000 .... 6.000 00 

W.eat,bu.h.. .4,483 5,483 00 

jj"j^'^ ... 1,427. 4,70100 

Aib^^P^^oa;kI^.->^• .-.-lOi-.- 3,100 00 

. Xubs and PailS, do^en, J..385 .... .3,01? 00 

. .alter, lbs..... .6,lo0: ...•.., .i.23f 00 



wmcotisTSs- 

.ath ..L.;.. ...... 950,000 .... 

roduce, Vegetables, 


.1,900 00 
3,C00 00 
4,000 00 




$19,435 00 



60? 



From tlie Bay Shore — J'/'iit Reported. 

Lu inber, feet, 21 ,000 $ ! 52.000 00 . 

Fish, bbls., 4,000..,. 28,000 00— $280,000 00 



$374,435 00 



GRAIN. 

The following table exliibits the comparative amount . 
of exports of flour, wheat, barley, rye. oats and corn, for 
1854, from all but tAVo of our Wisconsin Lake Ports — 
Manitowoc and Two Rivers are still behind with their 
returns. 

Fi.tnu. WiiKAT. Barlky. Oats. Rye. Corn. 

bb's. bu."/!. busk. bush. bvs!i. bufk. 

Kenosha,... HMi 52^.872 12],':83 506 320 4.172 14.171 

Racine,.... 13,404 409,?'04 106 509 , 705,114 4,000 18.758 

MilwHukee,.l55 0.^1 2,052 319 323,-T)7 4v4.487 131,179 298,825. 

Ozauket', . . . 10,0(10 20 000 — 10,000 

Sheboygan.. 7.655 216 G31 25 981 10,147 2,439 

Green Bay,. 3.397 4383 

Tota",.... 198.531 3,232,000 577,040 1,046,068 142,790 331,754 

Rediicing the flour t<' \yheat, the total exports of the 
above articles, from the six ports named are as follows : 

Milwaukee, bush., 4.005,332 . 

R;.cinc,do. 1.311.205 

Kenosha,do., 1,219.538 

Sheboy?an.do, ' 292.473 

Ozdukee,do., 80 OOO 

Green Bay, do.,. 21,8»i8 

Total Bushels, 0,930,416 -j 



70" WISCONSIIT. 

The other two ports will add but little to the above 
aggregate. ' 

We conclude these tables by giving the comparative 
exports of Avheat, rye and barley, from Milwaukee and 

•Chicago : 

^ RliJwaukce. Chicat,'o. 

Flour,b\ils., 155,051 »1 0^6 

Wheat, bush, 2,052,313 1,8(30636 

Rye, do., 131,719 . 40,000 

Barley,do.,. 3-24,207 33,205 

It will be seen that in each of these important articles 
the shipments from lVIil w a nkee largely exceed those from 
Chicago. It is in the coarser and lower priced articles 
of corn and oats that Chicago has the great advantage. 

■Reducing flour to wheat, it stands asfollows:— Milwau- 
kee, 2,711,280 bush.; Chicago, 2,25l,.5yi— a difference of 
Bome i/tree hundred and sixty thousand bushels in favor oT 
Milwaukee. 

We ."dd a comparative statement of tlie shipnient of 
wheat alone from the two ports in each of the hist live 

years : 

•' Milwaukee. Chicago. 

1850..Bu3hel8, 297,f78 833.044 

1851. . Do., 130.796 427,820 

18-,2.. Do., 428.512 635.496 

1853 Do., 1,181.690 1,660,335 

• 1854.. Do., 2,052,31.3 1,860,636 

It will be seen that last year, for the first time, the 
shipments of wheat from Milwaukee exceeded those from 
Chicago. Having obtained the lead in this important 
article we think we shall keep it ; for before next harve.«t 
■wo shall have the Milwaukee and Watertown, the La 
Crosse and Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee and Iloricou 



WISCONSIK. Tl' 

Rail Roads, as well as the Milwaukee and Mississippi, all 
pouring the agricultural treasures of ♦he fertile interior 
into the lap of this city — Wisconsin's chief sea port 

LEAD. 

The following figures show the amount of Lead ship- 
ped from the Upper Mississippi, and the average price 
per 100 pounds, for the past ten years : 

Year. Tons. Price, 

1843 17.477 $2 34 

1844 19,521 2 82 

1845 24.32&' 2 96 

1846 23.513 2 88 

1847 24,145 3 17 

1848 21312 3 24 

1849 19.654 3 67 

1850 17 769 4 20 

1851 14.816 4 08 

1852 12,770 4 12 

1853 13,307 5 50 

1855 Estimated, 15,000 6 00 

The increased attention to these mines, resulting from 
the State Geological Survey ; and the greater demand 
for lead, lead us to suppose that the shipments for 1854 
must show a very handsome addition to those of 1858* 
About nine-tenths of this lead comes from Wisconsin ; but 
being shipped from Galena, the whole is usually credited 
to Illinois. 



Tf? WISCONSIN., 



RECAPITULATION 



By the above tables there have been shipped from— 

Kenosha, in valuer. ■■ $1.71D,237 

Racine,do 1.331.691 

Milwaukee, do., 5.735.<iiW 

Oiiaukre, do., ....::. . . ................ IGO.COO 

Sheboyjjffn, da., ......../...: ........ 603.168 

CFreen Bay, do., .... .....';. 374,435 

Lead; do., 90,000 

$10,164,531 
In additioa to the araount reported, there has been a 
large araount of wheat and other produce sent from the 
State, by the Beloit Rail Road to Chicago, of which no 
report is made above. There was sent down the Wis- 
consin River, past Portage City, 1717 rafts, averaging 
45,000, besides about 7,000,000 shingles, most of which 
left the State, the total value of which is c&timated at 
$1,068,180. 

The ELick River, La Crosse, St. Croix, Chippewa, and 
all the North-western Pineries have sent forward very 
large amounts of lumber, of which no estimate has been 
made, which cannot be less than 13,000,000. ; 

Adding these to the known aggregate, the Exports of 
our young State, cannot be less than — FIFTEEN MIL 
LIONS DOLLARS. 



. ; ■ '.y{ 

SI LAS CHAPMAN 3 ;' 

Corner of Alichuian, np Stairs, 

MILWAUKEE, • WISCONSIN, 

Publishes the following; valuable Maps & Sooks : 



TRAVELLERS will find it for their interest to pmv.. 
chase these MAPS, as they are the only Sectional 
Maps of Wisconsin published';' and they are all corrected 
up t6 January, 1855; They are^the only standard Map* 
of the State, and all the Township Maps published at 
Kew York are corrected by these. Travellers cannoi- 
use a Township Map to any advantage, and immigrants^ 
in seai-ch of lands to purchase, can derive no assistance 
■whatever fi-om them. But a Sectional Map will always 
indicate the exact location, even to a quarter section. Of 
their correctness, the testimony of the thousands who 
liave purchased them is sufficient. 

I. 

Chapman's Sectional Map of Wisconsin. 

Scale 6 miles to an inch. 
This Map embraces nearly all the surveyed portion of 
the State, gives every stream, however small, with it», 
exact course, all the Rail Roads, most of the common 
roads, the names of all the Counties and Towns in the 
State, neatly colored in Counties. This has been the 



standard Traveller's Map for the last four years, and 
verj manj have been sent to the East and to Europe to 
those owning lands in Wisconsin. Its cheapness renders 
it popular. Price, in Covers for the Pocket, 60 cents. 
Without covers, 38 cents. 

II. 

Chapman^s Map of the Whole State. 

This is the same as the former — a Sectional Map — with'* 
the addition of the Northern or unsurveyed part. Price, 
in covers for the pocket, 15 cents. 

III. 

Chapman's Sectional Map of Wisconsin. 

This is the same Map as described in III. It makes a 
beautiful ornament for the Hall or Parlor, and its cheap- 
ness puts it in the reach of all. It is a useful appendage 
to the School Room, and the numerous cases in which it 
has been purchased for this purpose has tested its popu- 
larity. Let it be remembered that this is the only Sec- 
tional Map of the State (except Lapham's $5 Map) pub- 
lished, and that all the cheaper ones sold are only Town- 
ship Maps, and that nearly all their information is deriv- 
ed from the Maps on this list. Corrected up to January, 
1855. Price, Mounted on Rollers, Cloth back and full 
Colored, $0.00. 



It should be in the hands of all who wish accurate in- 
formation in regard to our State. — Madison Argus. 

Mr S. Chapman, of this City, is publisher of various 
size Maps of this State. He has taken great pains to 
have his Maps correct, and in this particular has been 



very successful. Every citizen should have one. — MiU*] 
oimckee JVcws. 

Mr Chapman has laid upon our table a Sectional Map, ' 
which he has just published fo- the special benefit of him- 
eelf and tne community at large. It purports to give a 
correct view of the State, according to the most recent 
surveys. It is just such a Map as everybody ought to 
have. — Milwankee Free Democrat. 

Mr Chaptnnii has just publi-hed a new, correct and 
comprehensive Sectional Map of our State, which will b^e 
found very useful to emigrants, travellers, those wht) 
wish to buy land and those who have land to sell. It is 
bound in small compass and is quite handy. — Milwaukee 
■'Eentind. 

We have received from S. Chapman, of this city, a new : 
r4nd comprehensive Sectional Map of this State, which 
must prove very useful to travellers, emigrants, and those 
who wish to purchase or dispose of land. Every stran- 
ger who desires to know something about our State should 
buy one. — Milwaukee Daily Wifcovsin. 

We have been pi-esented with a copy of S. Chapman's 
new Sectional Map of Wisconsin, in a pockefeform, very 
neatly and hand-comely got up. It gives a con-ect view 
of that interesting State, from the most recent surveys, 
and all the new Counties and settlements are carefully 
noted. We have seen nothing so comjdete before, and 
we commend it cordially to all who may desire accurate 
information of the State of Wisconsin. — New York Peo- 
ple's Organ. 

It is decidedly the best Map that has been 2:iven to 
the public. It is a complete Map, accurate in all i'e])ect8, 
and marking out the new Counties that have been erect- 
ed, the several Rail Roads, ttc-. It is got iip in elegant 
Btyle, and should be in the hands of every business man 
and all who wish to note the pvotrn-ss of improvement in 
Wisconsin. — Waukesha Plain Dealer. 

It is a picture of our own State, and got up by a citi- 
zen of the State. The Map has, in addition to the older 
and more settled portiors of the State, which all common 
maps contain, the Counties, townships, section lines, and 



all new villages in the Norll?->vest part-of the State cor- . 
rectly delineated. Great expense has been laid out in 
collecting the requisite information required in tlie pnb- 
lieation of such a useful article, and we hope Mr Cliap- 
man will uieet with that success in the sale of it w hi di he 
richly merits. — ]}'^dt?)-town Chronicle. • i 

This id ft large, tine, minute, beautiful Map, andforita 
•ize and price, the best that has yet been made of the ' 
State. It is one of tlio?e articles that should be ownM 
by every citizen, and is equally an ornament and con- 
venience in the counting-room and parlor. — Watertown 
D&mocrat. 

The design and execution is neat, forming the most 
perfect and complete Mnpof the State that has ever been 
publifilied, an<l at the cheapest rate. We commend it to 
our frieiidt^, knowing it to be what is represented. — 
Whitewater Gazette. 

"We have been presented by the publisher, S. Chap- 
man, of Milwaukee, with a new pocket Sectional Map of 
this State, containing ^he new Counties of Pierce, Polk, 
St. Croix, Ja(.-kson. Bad Ax, La Crosse, Chippewa, Mara- 
thon, Portaj^ and Wanjtacca. The scale is large and not 
only exhibits every section of land, but all the liver?, 
lakes, boundaries of counties, cities, villages, rail and 
plank roads, mines, &,c- Every capitalist wishing to 
make an investment, and every emigrant desiring to 
settle in this State, and in fact every business man would 
do well to purchase one of these maps. — Kenonha Demo- 
crat. 

Eene Sectionale Kaait van den Staat Wisconsin werd 
ons toegewndcn dooi- den uitgever S. Chapman, et Mil- 
waukie. Dit is ecne nieuwe kaart van onberekenbaar 
nut en gemak voor grondeigenaren, reizigers enz. AUe 
landsectien zijn er duidelijk op uitgetrokken, met ver- 
melding van nanien der verschillende towns. dory>en of 
8teden,"spoor-en plankenwegen, en mijiien binuen dezea 
Staat gelegen. De piijs \a tiiet vermeld,doch kan onget- 
wijfeld nietveel beloopen en wij laden alle landgenooten 
in Wisconsin aan er <jen van le koopeu. De kaart is te 
lien in ouze. — Slieboyyan Nieuwsbode. !•: 



I 



IV. 

Lapbam's Sectional Map of Wisconsin. 

Scale 6 tniien to att inch. 
Mr. Lapliani has long been known as an accurate 
Geographer and Surveyor, and is the Author of "Lap- 
ham's Wisconsin,'' a work on the Geography and Topo- 
gra})hy of tlie State. It is on a Larger scale tlian tli« 
preceding Maps, and contains the names of all the smaller 
Villages, Road-, &c. Price, in covers, colored in Coun- 
ties, Si. 00 

V. 

Lapliam's Sectional Map of Wisconsin, 

Einbraciug the whole Nate. 
This is on the same scale as the foregoing, but embraces 
the whole State, surveyed and unsurveyed. All the sur- 
veys are derived directly from the General Land Office, 
originally, and is the standard Map of tlie State. Its ac 
curacy cannot be impeached. It should be in every 
•''Counting Room and Warehouse in Wisconsin. Printed 
■ -ifen'ronr Sheets — Price, Mounted on Rollers, well finish- 
■^:ied,-§5.00. In Pocket form, on thin j^aper, -$2.00. 

^^ Each of the Sheets, embracing one fourth of tho 
State, put up separately in cavers, on thin paper, prica 
60 cent's. 

f'hapihari's Hand Book ©f Wisconsin; 

OK, GUIDK TO 

'travi:ll'ers and IMMIGRA^'I^S: 

Ik'sir/ncd as an accoin/pk)Lbne)i.t to the above Maps. 

> ' !Ihm\UU^U\iukV<*f\el'i^^^^ <rf f »wet,- t1ie'*qua- 

lity of Land, an<l a brief and comprehensive deseriptiou 



of tlie Gipabilitie? of each County. I'l-ioo, in paper 
covers, 25 cents — $2 00 per. doz. Persons ordering Ihi^ 
Libok by tliG doz., or single, with casli accompanying tho 
order, will receive them by Mail, Postage Free. 

The same Pamplilct is also put up with the Map, for 
75 cents each — 1^5.00 per doz. 

VIT. 

(•liapmaii's Map of the feuattes of Kcnosba, 
Racine, Milwankee, V/aiikesha, aad a 
Part of Walworth. 

Scale 2 'inilcs to an inch. 
This Jfap !3ona Larger Scale than either of the above, 
and exhibits eveiy thing necessary for a complete and 
RCcurate Map. Every thing on it has been derived from 
original sources. It shows all the Prairies, Mar^hep, the 
Mar?h Lauds recently donate^ by the United States.to 
Wisconsin, the Rail Koads with their Depots, Plank and 
Common Roads, all the Popt Oliices with their exact lo- 
cation. Routes of Chartered Road.^, Ac. &.c. It is a ne- 
cessary Map to ,ev.ery one who seeka full and accurate in- 
formation of the region it embraces. 

IN P K E P A U A T I O X , 

VIII. 

Chapman's I^Iap of Grant County, 

Scale ^of a mile to an inch. 
Aceuvate and particular. Price, plain, ineheets, $1,00- 

IX. 

Chapraaa's Sectional Map of Minnesota. 




IRVING BOOK STORE. 

SCHOOL. & MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS ; 

BLANK BOOKS ; PAPER ; 

EVERY DESCRIPTION of STATIONERY ; 

PAPER HANGINGS, &c., &o., 

At file i>o^¥est f*'ss"isres tor Cash. 

♦- ■ 



Country MercJianH supplied on unusally favorable 
terms. All Oi-ders ])ro7nptli/Jilud. 

Milwaukee, Wis. H. D. HULL. 



J S E P h'^G R A N Tj 

CORNER OF MAIN & MiVSON STREETS, 

iLast of the Post Office, 

Will mnke to Order, and send to any part of tlio State 
of VYisconain or Illinois, the Latent Styles of 

BLOf K SIGNS, CJilt with best GOLD LEAF ; 

PLAIN GILT SIGNS ON WOOD, 

Pabitcd (utd Snialtcd ; and all 

3Sl3x<ds» of 3'<a3p£xa:L "a?xi3. j^ig^za.^^ 

Cheaper than* can be had We-t of New York. 



He will attend to any Orders for Paintinc^, Graining, 
And Glazini^, and furnish French Glass, Sa*h, Blinds, 
Door-', <&.o. Se7Hl on your Orders, and they will be attended 
to promptly and cheaply. Stock Warranted Best. 



8 

MORiSON & KERR'S 

PLAIN AND ORNAMENTAL 

BOOK A N D J O B 

friuthtg (Kstalilisljment, 

EAST WATER STREET, 
MILWAUKEE, - - WISCONSIN, 

^ Particular attention given to Printing in Gold and 
Silver, and the various Tints and Color?. 
166 East Water Street, ) ANOw. MUKISOTS'. 

Over the Bank of Commerce. S J ^^ ^1^>^ KERR. 



~m: 



""T. D. I^LUMB^ ^ 

TRAVELING COMMERCIAL AGENT 

AND COLLLCTOR. 




^GJE^JT FOJRTHE SALK pF ALL OF 

.... ...s^.. .. . .. 




In tho C6Uut.i«^s' bf Milwkulrce,' ' Wdukc.ha, Walworth, 

' • JeffV-rsotf; Dodire and 'Drtnd. 
; t^-Ev^r>^.vari('ivof BOOK^v STATIO^^ERVr^ibd 
LES!\Laud COMMERCIAL BLANK:?, furmshed at 

.*^^!vU.cl^Vuierrn^*the best BOOiUUNPERY irt the 
Staf. Ma-azinf?, ctcWill be bound in a^y style ^of 
bLnclin-aud delivored to owners at Mikvaukee pm«3. 
JJ^ MAPS of all kinds funu^hed. to oruor. 



Publishes the following valuable Maps : 

Chapman's Sectional Map of Wisconsin, in 

Covers — Scale, 10 milos to the inch — embracing nearly 
all the surveyed part of the State. Price 50 cents. 

Chapman's Sectional Map of Wisconsin, em- 
bracing the whole State, and a part of Northern Michi- 
gan, in Covers. 75 cents. 

Hand Book of Wisconsin, or Guide to Travelers 

and Immigrants, designed as a companion to the above. — 
Price 25 cents. 

Chapman's Sectional Map of Wisconsin, em- 
bracing the whole of the State, and a part of Michigan, 
neatly mounted on Rollers — ^size 84 by 36 inches. Price 
$3 00. 

Chapman's • Map of Kenosha, Bacine, Mil- 
waukee, "Waitkesha, and part of Walworth Counties, 
showing all the Prairies, Marshes, &c. Scale 2 miles to 
the inch. Price $1. 

Chapman's Map of Grant County, — scale | 

%nle to the inch. Price $1. 

Lapham's Pocket Map of Wisconsin, — scale 6 

miles to the inch. In covei-s, price $1 00. 

Lapham's Large Map of Wisconsin. Mounted 

on Rollers — size 54 by 60 inches. Price $5 00. 

All orders for the above should be addressed to 
S. Chapman, who is the sole Publisher. AgentsL 
and dealers will be furnished with terms on appli- 
cation. 

jg^» Maps of other Publishers furnished at 
their prices, ^^^f^ y g^ , 



















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HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 



N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 



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